Bartzokas and Larentzakis talk about Virtus

Olympiacos departed today (27/02) for Italy, where tomorrow (28/02, 20:00 CET) they will face Virtus Bologna for the 27th round of the Euroleague.

"We are eight games away from the end of the regular season, and no one has given up. Everyone is fighting, even those who mathematically have no hope," said Olympiacos coach Giorgos Bartzokas and continued: "Virtus, especially at home, is very competitive, plays with great intensity, and it will obviously be a very difficult game for us."

Analyzing the profile of the Italian team, he said: "We have the information that Zizic will play, but we’ll see that tomorrow. Virtus’ roster has a lot of experience, they have a very experienced coach, and they have players like Sengelia, Belinelli... Players with a lot of experience at this level. They are certainly very competitive and very proud to not play for the win. Also, there is the Virtus crowd, which is very demanding for every opponent. They are a good team. They are good at offensive rebounds, they create and execute from the '4' position with Shengelia, and they have shooters like Belinelli and Cordinier who can score. In general, I believe how the game evolves will depend on whether we stick to our plan and play the basketball we need to win."

Olympiacos will be without Thomas Walkup, but compared to the Greek Cup final, there is a return: "Compared to the Cup, we have the addition of Vildoza, which is important for us. Also, both Milutinov and Fall are with us. We have been having good practices recently."

In response to a related question, Giorgos Bartzokas spoke about Olympiacos' new signing, Saben Lee: "Since we have so many injury problems, related to our guards,  it was a risk not to sign a player. Of course, we wouldn’t sign a player just for the sake of it. However, when the opportunity arose to bring Saben Lee in, we went for it. The Presidents made another big move, since they paid a significant amount for the buyout. But we are getting a player who is at a good age. If our roster were full, we wouldn't have signed him. But unfortunately, the coming period is very demanding for us, with consecutive games and crucial matches. So, in case of an injury, we would be significantly weakened in the backcourt. That's why we got Lee, whom we believe has the characteristics we want to help us."

Larentzakis: "The goal is first place"

For his part, Giannoulis Larentzakis said: "Of course, the break was important, but we worked hard during that period. Tomorrow’s game against Virtus will require us to show our best self to win and stay high in the standings."

Asked whether the goal is first place, he replied: "Of course. We want to finish as high as possible, hopefully first, so we have the advantage for the playoffs."

Finally, on whether it poses a risk that Virtus has minimal hopes of qualifying, he said: "The only thing I think will be in their favor is that they won't have the pressure and anxiety of the result. When that happens, players are free, and their hands are looser to make shots. However, we have worked very well all week and we are ready."