Bartzokas: «What counts is winning and not who plays»
Faced with quite a few problems, Olympiacos will be hosting Crvena Zvezda tomorrow (16/11, 20.05 CET) at the SEF, for the 9th round of the Euroleague.
“The way the games are for all teams and mainly following the Mundobasket, I think that we can call it the ‘Injuries’ Euroleague’”, was the initial comment made by the ‘red & whites’ coach, Giorgos Bartzokas, who went on to say: “Crvena Zvezda lost players last night. It’s not due to the Mundobasket, but the competition is such a tough one overall; there are so many demanding nights involved that you witness players getting knocked out one after another. We paid a dear price for it. Sikma returned last night and helped us with 11 quality minutes, despite not having participated in the program, because he had only had one team practice session. But no one who knows about basketball can doubt his quality. The issue is to get him into shape, so that he’s able to help the team, and that he finds rhythm, and this can in no way be achieved in one day or two. It takes time. We must manage the situation as it is right now. The extent of Nigel Williams-Goss’ injury will become apparent after the MRI today. We have nothing else to do but go out on the floor and fight, preparing the game as best as possible”.
About the Serbian team: “The same goes for Crvena Zvezda. I read they have been facing injuries since last night. Napier broke his nose; we don’t know if Dos Santos will play. In any case, if we dwell on that we are missing the point, which is the game. The game is going to be difficult anyway, it became obvious if you look at how they played last night. They have changed their coach. Giannis (i.e. Sfairopoulos) has taken over and has implemented a few of the things he would like to see from them in terms of how they play… With greater intense in defense. Their psychologoy is definitely on the up and up. Right now, what matters is winning, regardless of who plays or not”.
Asked about the rest of the injured players, except for Goss, he pointed out: "McKissic has been practicing individually, he will join team practices on Monday. For Milutinov, the plan is to return to practicing on Tuesday, but I’m not sure about it, we’ll see. So, both are out for tomorrow and most probably for Sunday against Maroussi.
Goss is knocked out
The American guard, Nigel Williams-Goss, underwent an MRI today (15/11), and the results showed that he has suffered a contusion at the myotendinous junction of the long head of the right leg femoris biceps.