Bartzokas: «We are excited for the games with Fenerbahce»
Olympiacos 'swept' Aris for the Basket League's quarterfinals and now Giorgos Bartzokas and his players are focusing of the Euroleague's playoffs vs Fenerbahce.
"I want to congratulate Aris for their remarkable effort throughout the season", the 'red & whites' coach initially said and went on to comment: "Today their season is completed. Practically they could have been fifth in the regular season if not for one victory. They finished in the eighth position and played us, however, even during these two days and despite their significant absences, they showed the same character they were exhibiting as a team the whole season. They fought, with the unique way they play especially in defense, they attack the ball and we had to play a different style of basketball than what we've been playing the whole season. They mess with your tactics and plays, and you have to immerse yourself into basketball fundamentals: pass the ball fast. We did that in both games and that's why we had many assists and won easily. I would like to wish everyone to rest well and all the best in the future. We have a big challenge ahead, the series against Fenerbahce. We are excited, we have three practice sessions until Wednesday to prepare our bodies, our minds and our tactic. We are excited and wait to see what life holds for us".
About the Euroleague playoff series with the Turkish team, he said: "Each team goes through a lot of ups and downs, in the locker rooms, on the floor, human relationships of players with other players are put to the test, their relationship with their coach as well. In essence, through all these tests, each team comes out stronger. Just like it happened with Fener, with us and with all Euroleague teams this season, in such a tough league when you don't get the chance to relax, not even for one evening. They may have finished in eighth place and we in first, but we are called to play a team that has a lot of demands from itself due to its coach, its players and its brand name. They want to go to the Final Four, just like we do. I would say that we have performed better as a team throughout the season, the ranking anyway says as much. So, we are summoned to prove that we are better in this series also, which is not easy at all. Each game is a test in regard to feelings. You have to focus and not allow yourself to think that you have three games, but just one. The one ahead of us, on Wednesday. We have to be ready to play that game. This is the practice coaches adhere to".