Lountzis: «It’s crunch time!»

Olympiacos has secured the playoffs, however, this fact alone does not allow Michalis Lountzis and his team mates to relax in view of the game with Villeurbanne (29/03, 20.00 CET) at the SEF. 

“A win will get us home court advantage. It’s something that we really want. That’s why we’ve been working the whole season, so we have to be completely focused”, was what the international guard pointed out before adding the following: “We must not be delusional and think that this is going to be any easy game. We all remember what happened in the first round, when we are leading by a lot but lost the game at the end. Villeurbanne is a very good team. They play hard, they have won some big games and they are coming here to win. That’s why we have to come on the floor focused, play strong and now allow them play their game”.

On whether there is complacency in the locker rooms, he replied: “Nothing is over. For instance, home court advantage is not certain yet. We continue to fight to secure it. Our goal is to finish as high as possible and then continue with the playoffs. Of course we are more than motivated. All the important games are ahead. That’s why we keep our heads on our shoulders, we come in focused and play our game”{.

Finally, talking about the key to the win, he said: “We want to begin from our defense and set our own tempo in the game. We have to press them a lot and not allow them feel comfortable. That’s the most important thing and I think that in most, if not all of our games, when we do that, we win”.