Sfairopoulos: "We want the fans on our side"
Olympiacos is hosting Laboral Kutxa tomorrow (26/11, 20.45 CET) for the seventh round of the Euroleague Regular season and Giannis Sfairopoulos spoke about the game against the Basques.
"We have a difficult game tomorrow against a team that is the only one to have beat us until now. Of course many things have changed since the first game. In regard to tactics, we are ready for more things now, because the team has been together for some time and they have assimilated new info on defense and offense plus we have worked more on those two areas, so we are going to be able and bring more to the floor compared to the first game. They have guards that run the floor, they are an athletic team. Bourousis takes them to a higher level, we are going to have to be patient and follow our plan. We need to stop their assets and take advantage of their weaknesses. We want the fans by our side. It's almost December and this is only our second home game, while the first one took place in Heraklion.
About using many players in more than one positions: «We try to use our players the best we can for the good of our team. We have chosen players that can play two positions. The most important thing is that the guys respond well to that. So, we have the option, depending on the opponent to adjust the team and come up with the most competitive plan possible taking advantage of our roster. As a team we have some set plans in offense and defense and the players do their best regardless of the position they play".
About Bourousis: «Bourousis is a quality player, he's a key - player, especially at set games, everyone is looking for him in the post and we have to defend better compared to the first game to deal with him".
The key to the game: «Controlling the rhythm is important. What we definitely need to do is adjust to the speed of the game. Otherwise you are going to lose".
On the level of the players' readiness following injuries: «The players respond to what we ask, we believe in our players, that's why we got them. We would not get players that we don't believe in. They wouldn't matter to the team and I would have a hard time working with someone I don't believe in. The guys give their best, but everyone usually looks at how much each one scores. There are so many areas of the game that the players contribute nevertheless. Someone can stop a player that usually scores 20 at scoring 10, that's important. That's why I think that everyone is ready to contribute, because everyone does a good job. When it's needed, players are going to step up, they all play for the team".
On the replacement of Patrick Young: «We have been looking for the player to replace Young for some time and I wish we had found him so that he has time with the team. We don't want to risk with players that have quality value but we don't know how they will adapt to European standards, unless it's something exceptional and we haven't found anything exceptional, so we are going to do the best we can to re-enforce the team in this position the soonest possible".