Sfairopopoulos: "Break the rhythm"
Olympiacos departed with 13 players on Monday, October 23 for Tel Aviv, in view of the game against Maccabi (24/10, 20.05 CET).
Talking about the game against the People's team, the Olympiacos coach, Giannis Sfairopoulos, stressed: "It's not just the wins. Maccabi has changed it's general philosophy on how the game is played. They rely more on team work, they have roles, chemistry, they are playing a totally different game compared to last season. Of course they rely on athleticism and energy, but they move the ball much more, they are passing the ball a lot before attacking and that's why we need to be very focused on our defensive end of the game, stop a few things that they've been doing well, 'break' their rhythm. They are a team that runs a lot and can easily take you off the game in 2-3 minutes, but they can also lose any built difference should they have a 2-3 minute gap".
On how much injuries make his work and that of his associates more difficult: "It's not easy, but we can't do any different. We have been working with the guys, adding elements to their game. We try to have everyone present at meetings and practices, so that they understand tactics on both ends of the floor and be ready when they need to implement them during the game. It is certain that the team will be improving as time passes by. It's a new team, we have injuries that keep us from playing well and with consistency".
Young Nikos Arsenopoulos was included in the delegation, however, not the captain, Vasilis Spanoulis: "He's not coming with us. He's been having treatments and undergoing a special strengthening program. We'll see when he will be joining, depending on his leg. As for the other guys, Mantzaris and Printezis are with us. We'll see tomorrow. Mantzaris played last game after having an injection, the same with Printezis, we don't know yet. They are with us and we hope they can play, but I cannot say anything with certainty yet".
Asked on how important traveling on charter flight is for the team, he said: "It's very important and I would once again like to thank our Presidents, Messrs. Angelopoulos, because indeed the six chartered flights allow great flexibility in regard to rehabilitation, and fatigue prevention. They are going to be used in weeks with double games, just like this one. So, I wish to thank them, because they offer our team an additional advantage, to remain fresh for this game and the next one as well. Because, immediately after that, on Thursday we play another game. So, the charter flight helps a lot to reducing waiting time at the airport, fatigue, having to sleep over in another country after the game, while you have to play another game in only a few hours… It's less fatigue".
Finally, when asked on whether the team will be getting a player for the "4" position, he once again said: "We are not in a hurry. We are testing the waters without making panic moves. We'll see if there's anyone really worthy of the Olympiacos standards. We'll see about that with the administration. From the moment we have alternative solutions and we have players that can help at this position, there is no rash to getting a player. The most important thing is to find a good player, not just any player. I don't want to make the wrong choice, so it's going to have to be a player that fits our philosophy and standards. There is no need for hasty moves".
"Focused for forty minutes"
Janis Strelnieks stated : "We played them for a friendly in Crete, they are an explosive team, with speed, they have a lot fast guards. Our job will be indeed hard, we have to stop their guards from creating and remain focused for 40 minutes. We need to 'build' the game focusing on each one attack, play, defense and the game is especially hard. We need to give it a real effort for a long strech in the game".
Asked on the many injuries that have befallen the Piraeus team, the Latvian guard said: "Unfortunately injuries are a part of the game, so we all need to step up, play well and cope with absences. Let's look at it as an opportunity". Janis Strelnieks was also asked about his role on the team and whether he hasn't been able to establish it yet due to the many absences. "This question is one for the coach. What I care about is for the team to win. Of course absences have changed the coach's plans, who's been trying to do the best for the team. Either in the bench or on the floor, what I care about is for the team to win and doing what the coach wants from me. That's my only concern, the team to win".