Printezis: «We all want titles»
Giorgos Printezis is just as hungry as the new guys for titles! The 'reds' forward talked about the high expectations from the new season, while he stated to be lucky to work with coach David Blatt.
"It's a different routine for everyone, we are working on new things and everyone on the team is trying to show something different and closer to the coach's mentality". In the previous days, through more relaxed practicing, everyone had a first taste of what is about to follow… "We have made three practice sessions and we have worked a little a bit on 5-0, but there is not much you can say. We have a long way to go, many friendly games, enough practicing to get together and see how everyone can contribute the best. Everyone on the team knows the coach's philosophy more or less and what we are going to bring to the team this season is energy, speed on the fast break and easy scoring… In general, we want the team to run and endure in the long run and during the whole 40 minutes of the game".
Talking about the new season's goals, Giorgos Printezis stressed: "The truth is that we know how the system works here. Our goal is to bring the team to the top and to bring the team titles, which is something we all long for. Last year was not crowned with a title, but let's not forget that the year before we had made the Euroleague final. Seasons like the last one, when we did not succeed to go to the Final 4, make us understand how important it is to be among the top European teams, so I would call the year before last a failure. We made the Euroleague final which for me is both hard and good. Right now, our goal is to bring some title to Olympiacos, and play good basketball that will both please the fans and us".
There are enough new faces with the team, but able to help the 'reds' succeed their goals. "It may be that the newcomers are not experienced ones with 10 years of Euroleague games under their belt, but if each one player gives 100%, then things come easier. I'd also like to hope that there are no old timers and foreigners, we are all one team, one club, and we are all in this together to try for the best possible outcome", Giorgos Printezis commented.
One of his wishes, except of course being able to celebrate more titles, is for everyone to remain healthy. "I hope there are no injuries and things go the way they should. Stay healthy the whole year, which is something hard to happen but I still wish it does. I wish that everyone can play every position and offer anywhere needed".
Finally, talking about David Blatt, he said: "I definitely feel lucky to have David Blatt here. He has coached great players and great teams; he had been with the best team in the world a couple of years ago. He has experience and the way he works together with his playing style becomes me and I wish that all this comes to a peak at the end of the season".
«Results will come if we work hard»
The key to success according to Nigel Williams - Goss is one: Hard work!
"I'm excited to have begun. We have made some unofficial practicing in the previous days and tried out a few things. We'll be working hard every day and the results are going to be coming. We need to focus on that every single day. Hard work is going to "build" us what we need so that the results we want can follow"
About David Blatt: "He's a great coach, he's been doing a very good job. He wants us to work hard every day, play fast in the transition and defense is another are he wants us to focus on and be good at. He wants us to be perfect. Olympiacos is a historic club and everyone knows that only aims at winning titles. The difference is in the details. We need to be working hard every day for the titles to come".
He then stated to be lucky to be a … student of Vassilis Spanoulis: "He's a very experienced and successful player. We are lucky to have them. I personally am lucky to have him by my side. I will be learning a lot from him and I'm looking forward to begin to learn even more".