Bartzokas and Papanikolaou on game 5
Olympiacos is traveling to Barcelona aiming to win the 5th game (08/05, 21:00 CET) that will give him the ticket to the Berlin Final 4.
Giannoulis Larentzakis, who got injured during game 4, participates the delegation, however is still doubtful about tomorrow.
"I would like to say that overall, we are very happy", the 'red & whites' coach, Giorgos Bartzokas got to comment. "It's the 3rd year we get to play a decider. On one hand, we would have like to have finished this earlier, because these games have a very particular psychological and mental gravity. On the other hand, that's why we took up basketball, to have the opportunity to play such big and significant games, and that goes for both coaches and players. We are happy to be playing a game 5, against such a big team as Barcelona, trying to qualify for the final four. We know we are not at our home court and we are not the favorite to win. However, in any case we have a chance at advancing if we play a good game".
On whether the big score margin of the 4th game is going to play a role, he said: "The previous game was decided by a huge difference, but you never know how this is going to work in view of the next game. It often motivates the opponent who feels hurt. On the other hand, we saw that should we follow a specific plan and play a good game, our ceiling is a high one and we can compete against anyone".
Asked about how much he wants the qualification, he replied: "We want it very much. We have the same hunger and motivation we had in the first season we advanced to the final four two years ago. We want it a lot and we believe it's going to be the culmination of a huge effort made this season, in regard to so many setbacks and injuries we went through. If we manage to do it, we are once again going to be a tough opponent for any other team".
Papanikolaou: «There's no other thought in our minds»
The captain of Olympiacos, Kostas Papanikolaou, was asked if he believes his team has a good chance of advancing to yet another final four. "There's no other thought in our minds. We are ready to compete to win. Of course, Barcelona has the advantage of playing at home and they are going to have their fans by their side. But, just like I said following the previous game in the series, if you are mentally ready and powerful enough just like we were in the previous game or like have done in many road games during the second round of the competition, we have good chances at winning. It's clearly not going to be a game like the ones before. Both teams are going to fight hard. It's going to be a close game and the details will decide who wins". On whether the Blaugrana are under pressure given the significance of the game, he said: "Sometimes, home court advantage adds extra pressure and more of a must win notion, given that you play at home. But this is something for Barcelona to consider. We need to think how we are going to be competitive, how we are going to be ready, so as to give our best and maximize our chances".