The most difficult game...
A few hours remain for the first Euroleague TOP-16 jump ball and Olympiacos is receiving Fenerbahce/Ulker for its most difficult European game so far, according to Dusan Ivkovic. “Duda” gave the standard Press Conference on the eves of the home game of the “reds” and spoke about the game against the Turks and more…
ON THE GAME AGAINST FENERBAHCE/ULKER: We are going back to play for the Euroleague after four weeks. TOP-16 is very different from the regular season. Every point, every shot, every defense, every mistake matters. The team is going to be ready for the most important game we play this season against a team that has played excellent in the regular season and at this moment is the best Turkish team. Fener is a team that has the same numbers with us, they have to very good creating players, Ukic and Jasikevicius and we have to be extra careful. Onan has been playing with a steady performance and has been their best player during the past few weeks. Marko Tomas and Kinsey need a lot of attention at one on one and they have a very balanced front line. Fenerbahce is completely covered at all positions. We need to control the game and stop their fast breaks. We want to run, but we don’t want to make the easy mistakes that give the opponent the opportunity to score easy baskets.
ON THE FANS: I’m certain that the fans are going to come and help us and we need to be ready. I think that the presence of the fans will be in record numbers for us this season. We want to be playing with our fans and for our fans. For what other reason a game takes place anyway? For the fans. We need to be ready to play a home game, a game where there is going to be interaction with the fans. The victory in OAKA should be helpful. I had said that it would be easy against Panathinaikos because we had nothing to lose, but now we have to extra careful.
ON THE ENDING OF THE CLUB’S PUNISHMENT: It has been very tough for the players to play in front of empty seats. The atmosphere had been worse than at practice.
ON THE TIP OFF HOUR OF THE GAME AGAINST ARIS: I have just spoken with Milan Tomic and he told me that ERT had been helpful and changed the time of the game. We all need to be co-operating better amongst us for the benefit of the sport. This change is going to help Aris that has a game on Tuesday, and us that we have a tough trip ahead of us and of course, basketball. Do you think that NBA and ACB games take place at noon for no reason? At random? We all need to take a look at what’s been happening with basketball.
ON HALPERIN AND ERCEG AND SUMMER RUMORS THAT THEY WOULD BE LEAVING THE TEAM: All matters need to be looked into seriously and realistically. That’s how I had spoken to Halperin. Giannakis is an honest person and a good coach. The managers had made that image for Halperin last season. Is it reasonable to think Halperin is for discarding? I respect your job which is very important for basketball (i.e. reporters) but I cannot build a team according to what the newspapers have to say. Erceg is talented, he had been patient, he fought, we gave him a chance and he played. Just like we are going to do with Pelekanos. The unfortunate thing is that Erceg and Pelekanos had been the most out of shape players of Olympiacos last summer and that has been their greatest mistake.
ON THE INJURY OF MILOS VUJANIC: I’m really sorry for Milos. He has been the unluckiest player in the world in the past five years. He showed character and fought for his team to the end. I wish him to come back healthy.