The worthy and the … birthday cake
When the semi finals are so recent, it’s definitely hard for the protagonists to turn their attention to the following game. However, going after a title does not let any room for relaxation. Just a few hours following Olympiacos qualification to the Final Four final, Panagiotis Giannakis and Teo Papaloukas spoke to the Media representatives, together with Xavi Pascual and Pete Michael…
Panagiotis Giannakis thinks that it’s absolutely fair that Olympiacos and Barcelona will be playing the final: “I think that the teams of the final are the best with the steadiest course through the year. We have to play a team that has been playing good basketball in the past few years. They have kept their spine and have added some extra pieces. It’s going to be a tough game by two teams that have played well during most of the season. And even when they hadn’t been playing well, they knew how to handle the game. They have talent. I think that the team that will make the fewer mistakes is going to win”.
And what about the exhaustion? Giannakis, after revealing that Teodosic suffers from gastroenteritis and his presence to the final remains a question, stressed: “We have had much energy and passion. It’s true we spent enough energy, but I believe that we will focus, we’ll rest and we’ll be ready for the final. If I had to keep something from last night’s game, that would be the passion and the clear thinking of my players, who, despite being cornered during the game, never stop wanting to win and kept fighting to the end. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to keep the nervousness we showed at certain points. I never stopped believing that it is always the defense that will follow you. Things that can hurt you are even one missed ball. It’s natural for both teams to want to win this game. Teams like ours are used to living under pressure and maybe that’s what makes our job more exciting. We should be patient and keep a clear head”.
The Olympiacos coach commented especially on Kleiza and Childress: “I really enjoy working with two kids that have played in the NBA. But the most important thing is that they have come to Europe to become better. Josh has a different way by now to deal with the game. And Linas has become more effective. They give us the chance to become more effective as well. They help the rest of the players that have the talent to play even better”.
The birthday man Teo Papaloukas, who began the semi final when 32 and finished it when … 33, referred to the birthday cake he’s been preparing: “All those who played last night are entitled to big piece. I should have bought a very-very large cake. Who should I first talk about in regard to last night’s game? Josh, Sophocles, Milos, Linas, Bourousis with his rebounds? All those who played gave something unique. The important thing is that we are ready tomorrow and we win, and then we can have a very big party. We deserve it…”
The experienced Teo Papaloukas answered on the whether the exhausting semi final will play a role on Sunday night: “All of these have an impact till 20:30. Then you forget all about it. We have a first class opportunity to prove we have the soul reserves needed. We had known we would be playing the second semi final and that a very tough game against Partizan would be ahead of us, before we came here. From that moment on, the Sunday game is something else. We are walking towards the end of the season and all the teams and the players are tired. But winning the European trophy is everyone’s target. It would be much more painful and hard should we had lost and had to focus in order to play the 3rd position final. Keeping going after your dream is the ideal and we continue… When this happens, you forget about being tired and you find a way to charge your batteries”.
On how he’s going to guard Rubio… Teo spoke hymns about the Spaniard, but he mainly gave credit to Milos Teodosic: “I’m going to match up to Rubio anyway, mainly due to physical stature. Rubio and Teodosic are the next best thing. They comprehend basketball better and they are something totally different. You enjoy watching them play. I have said it before; I enjoy watching Milos even at practice. I imagine the same goes for Rubio’s team mates, who has significantly helped Barcelona make it thus far. It’s obvious that there is an age gap. He’s going to play with energy and I with experience. However, battles are not given on a personal level. The teams are those who win and that was very clear at the semi finals. It’s better to have a mediocre game and your team wins, than being good and your team loses”.
On the game against the “blaugrana”, he pointed out: “The steadiest teams of the Euroleague are in the final to challenge the trophy. Both Olympiacos and Barcelona are historic teams that haven’t won a title for some time and it’s something they really want. There is going to be much talent on the court on Sunday. I hope it is going to be a good game and that we are able to control it. Barcelona is very strong and they are able to “kill” any opponent with their game. I hope we are ready, because we have put in a very big effort, not only this year, but from last year and we have worked very hard in all areas. We deserve to be here and I hope we make it in this very difficult and important final. Barcelona has a very full roster and that’s what characterizes the team. All twelve of her players could be starters in any European team. We have to be very careful. All teams have vulnerable spots, and we have to take advantage of that. Whoever is more ready will become the European champion”.
Finally, on the problematic situation in Greece, he said: “What’s been happening in Greece has nothing to do with us. I wish we could change things, but we can’t. We are here to do our job, our hobby. Some people back in Greece fight to improve the economic situation. It would be ideal that a final could change the situation, but unfortunately, this cannot be. We want to win to give our fans joy, but the Greeks will be really content only if the situation changes and their living standards can improve”.