"We shall be mentally ready for this game"
Today’s practice (04/02), was held in the presence of the Olympiacos BC Presidents, Mr. Giorgos Angelopoulos and Mr. Panagiotis Angelopoulos, in view of the game against Panathinaikos (05/02, 20.00 CET), for the 24th round of the Euroleague.
Kostas Papanikolaou is still abstaining practicing due to injury, while Sasha Vezenkov is also doubtful to play against the ‘greens’.
The Olympiacos’ coach, Giorgos Bartzokas was asked whether tomorrow’s game (05/02) is going to be special. “For me, that I’m Greek, it’s kind of special. If Olympiacos had a foreign coach, then it might not be that much. Unfortunately, basketball without fans is not the same sport. When we played Panathinaikos at the OAKA in the first round, there were no fans for Panathinaikos, but here without our fans tomorrow, well it’s an issue and a rather insurmountable one. Let’s hope that everything will be well in the future and we are going to be having fans with us, to once again feel, both us and our foreign players, the real value and importance of such a game under that particular scope”.
On whether there is extra pressure given that the ‘reds’ are coming from consecutive losses, he said: “No matter what has happened, either coming from winning or losing streaks, the games against Panathinaikos are always special. First of all, we think that we are still on course to meet our goals, we think we were competitive even in the games we lost. Indeed, we lost the three previous games, but you all remember that the two of them were lost in the last possession. For instance, I believe that the second half against Barcelona was one of our best this season. So, according to facts, and I’m talking about the fact that we’ve been playing without forward for some time now, key forwards, like Papanikolaou and Vezenkov, our main concern is to remain compact and play the games. It is many times that the players decide the end, if not always. One good decision, a good shot, a crucial rebound, a good defense can decide games. That’s how the Euroleague is this season and sports in general. You see totally unexpected results, loud scores, teams that break down or teams that triumph out of nowhere. Panathinaikos is our opponent here in Greece, despite us not playing for the National League anymore. I think we are going to be mentally and psychologically ready for this game”.
In regard to whether Sasha Vezenkov is able to play, he said: “Vezenkov has not practiced with the team because he was in pain. He will be trying today, chances are not in our favor and generally, with only one practice, I don’t know if he can make the final cut. At this moment, the odds are that he’s not playing”.
When asked to make a comment on the bad beginnings Olympiacos has been making in most of his games up to now and whether maybe the game against Panathinaikos will be a starting point, so that the team stops making such terrible starts, he pointed out: “If only I knew how. We have tried forty different starting line ups to test how we begin the game. It’s an issue that needs research. We need to see the wide picture… Olympiacos is at the required Euroleague level, so as to fight the games, to win. We have won big and we have lost big, a few of these losses here at the SEF had been unexpected. Right now, if we take a look at the ranking, we would be saying that theoretically, Panathinaikos is a team that we absolutely have to win, because they rank low. But it’s not like that. Panathinaikos is always a worthy opponent. They have changed their coach. They were very good in the previous game against Valencia and we expect a difficult game”.
«I’m happy just to be here»
Giorgos Printezis about the game against Panathinaikos: “Now the derbies ae not that many, so the fans cannot enjoy more games between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, and that’s why this is a game that both teams really want to win. It’s especially important to us, because by winning tomorrow we will continue to have a good chance at achieving our main goal that is the playoffs”.
Asked whether the foreign players who have not experienced the atmosphere of these games are aware of their significance, the replied: “Everyone knows it’s a very special game. It’s an important victory for who ever gets it and for each team’s goals at any particular moment. It’s a game that the fans really look forward to. I think that the foreigners know about it since the first moment they get here, they know what this particular derby is all about and that’s why they are ready to once again give 100%”.
About the absence of Nedovic due to injury and whether it’s going to have a negative impact on Panathinaikos, he commented: “You can’t know that. It is many times that an injury brings the team together. Nedovic is a very good offensive player, he adds a lot of value to Panathinaikos. But the possessions he gets in a game are 15 or 20, other players are going to be taking them, so we still need to be very careful. Of course, we also have two absences that are equally important, but I think we should not be staying on this at all. We want to have a good game and that everyone enjoys it”.
About the games that were lost at the end, he said: “Just like we have lost some games at the end, we have also won some at the end too. That’s the Euroleague. We could certainly have won two or three more games. However, if hadn’t made a couple of shots in some other games, like against Maccabi in our home, we could be having a couple of wins less and right now, we could be having a different conversation. We need to manage it. We are an experienced team. A good players should be looking at one game at a time, with a clear head and be consistent to succeed”.
Finally, asked whether there is a chance that tomorrow’s derby is the last one in his career, he said: “I don’t think so. I still feel good, I want to be helping the team as much as I can. I think and I try to face up to whatever role my coach gives me. I have said it too many times, it’s an honor for me to be here. I have gone through all kinds of roles with Olympiacos. I don’t mean to overstay my welcome, nor that fans keep seeing me for very long. From that point on, I’ve been trying to give my best for as long and for as many minutes I’m asked to play. That’s what I have also done in the past. I have happened to be out of the final cut, there have been games I only played for a little, others I have played a lot. I’m happy just to be here”.