Bartzokas: “Everyone knows how important games like this are, we’re concentrating on our basketball”

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Greek Cup final in Crete, Red-Whites coach George Bartzokas referred to the importance of a final between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos and the situation of some of the players who will play a special role in the development of the game.

Furthermore, he emphasized that there are no predictions and that Olympiacos will face the game with the weight it deserves.

Details of George Bartzokas’ statements:

“There’s not much to say about that. Everyone knows how important such games are. It has nothing to do with the talent but with the day, the approach and the form of some players that night.

We’ve prepared well and we’re going into the game with the right weight. More or less all teams have a competitive identity and we know what to expect. It has to do with how hard you hit the ball. We believe in our team and we want to win the trophy.

Teams evolve and get better as the year goes on. Panathinaikos added Jovic and is a ready player. He’s not in normal condition and we hope he doesn’t come in the right form tomorrow. Our approach has to do with each opponent’s philosophy and how they attack and defend. We want our players to react to this.

We respect every opponent, sometimes we play well, sometimes we don’t, but we focus on our basketball. You’ll never hear the cry, “Snap ’em.”

We don’t count the game based on history. Both teams have come a long way. Nobody can talk about inexperience or unpreparedness for the finals. The criticality and intensity played matters. It’s a basketball game of dates and conditions in the stands. “Both teams have weaknesses and strengths.”

For his part, Costas Sloukas explained:

“It’s very important for Olympiakos because years later we’re in a final at a domestic event. We’re lifting the first trophy of the year and it’s very important for us.”