Blatt: «Support us just like you did with Efes» (pics+vid)
First mission during the … devilish week accomplished. For the second one though to be equally successful, the fans should pack the SEF tomorrow (20/12, 20.00 CET) against Gran Canaria, at least according to David Blatt…
"It's the second game of the double week and it always carries a special dynamic for both teams. I hope we bring on the floor the same energy with our last game and that with the help of our fans and the great atmosphere they create, we are going to win. It's very important for everyone to know the quality of Gran Canaria. They have won five Euroleague games this season and that's why we need to be ready to play a quality game" and went on to talk about the team's 6th man… "I really hope they come and support us the same way they supported us against Efes. Without a doubt, they had been the main reason for our victory".
When told that some think tomorrow's game is easy and if he has any comment to make on that, he stressed: "Just like I said before, they have already won five Euroleague games and the Euroleague is not an easy competition. This is the best answer I can give them and it is certain that my players are aware of the opponent's quality. The great Albert Einstein had said: "Two things in the world are infinite. The universe and stupidity. I'm not so sure about the universe…"
Asked about the condition of Giorgos Printezis, he replied: "He has had a muscle spasm in the lower back during the game. We didn't know if he would be able to continue, however, he felt a little better towards the end of the game and he wanted to bring his experience back to the game during its critical moments. He did it and we believe that he's going to be OK for tomorrow's game".
When asked to talk about his move to give credit to Giorgos Bogris after the game (he had done the same with Vangelis Mantzaris in a previous game), he said: "I'm not trying to make any particular statement with that. That's how I felt. I just brought my feelings to the table. These guys are players of this team, they care for the team, they are professionals, veterans and show it whenever needed. They don't have the chance to bring all that on the floor every time, but that doesn't change their position and this is the way to win, this is Olympiacos' DNA".
«We expect to see you all»
Giorgos Bogris commented… "Focusing is the easiest thing in the world. We play at home, the motivation is huge and we want to cash in our latest very important victory. More on that, I think we have both the depth and the experience, much more than Gran Canaria does, and that with the help of our fans we are going to be able to win a game that will keep us in the top ranking spots".
On Blatt crediting him after the game against the blaugrana and how that felt, he said: "What can I say? These are beautiful moments for any athlete and for me because I know how hard I have tried and how eagerly I wait for half a chance to come and hold on to it. I think that whenever the chance is there, I try to cope and give all that I can for the team. I hope I continue the same way and more opportunities come my way more often so that I can show what I really deserve and how much I have worked".
Asked about the key to the victory in Spain, he replied: "We followed the coaches' plan faithfully and succeeded in stopping the creation by the guards of the Spanish team, who are very strong on the right side like Heurtel and Pangos. We also took Tomic out of the game, and he's a high quality player who works a lot for the whole team both with creating and executing, since he draws a lot of players on him. Then the key was us. We were focused from the first minute, we were aggressive, tough, got the rebounds, went for the offensive rebounds and did not give Barcelona the right even for a moment to think they could beat us".
On whether he thinks that the victory in Spain covers for the home loss against Armani, he commented: "I don't think that the game against Armani was such a big loss. They are a good quality team. They beat us here, we can beat them there. These victories lead you to the top. The schedule gets better from now on and this very good for us, because we are going to be playing the stronger teams at home. It's going to be much easier getting the results we want with the help of our fans. The second round is going to be easier, so we are going to be ready and how we close the first round is going to be the base for what we can be expecting to win in April".
About the problem with his arm, he said… "I'm much better. I have been given injections before the games, because the arm is not 100% functional, mainly due to pain. It's not something serious. I have been getting treatments on a daily basis and I think I will be 100% in about a week to ten days".
Finally, when asked to send a message to the Olympiacos' fans, he said looking at the camera… "We expect to see you all! not only tomorrow, always! Merry Christmas to all, with love".
