Sfairopoulos: «A play off, not a TOP-16 game»
Olympiacos hosts Real Madrid on Friday (25/3, 20.45 CET) for the 12th day of the TOP-16, in a game characterized as a play-off one by Giannis Sfairopoulos.
"We play a very important game, just like all the latest ones. As we move towards the end of the TOP-16, each game becomes all the tougher and important. We need to be mentally ready to play a game that is going to be difficult for both teams. We all have experience from such games, we have played many games like that and we have the experience to come on the floor and do what we need to do and what we know to do. It's a game we've been preparing to play since the beginning of the season, we have worked all those months on tactic, on both our defensive and offensive game and what's important is to implement your plan as thoroughly possible. We need to be focused, have a clear mind, faith and play an unselfish game. I believe that all our players are aware of what needs to be done, we know the fans are going to be by our side and we need to begin the game strong to get the result we want", the Greek coach said at first.
He was then asked whether his team is ready energy wise and replied that "we are in good shape in regard to energy levels, we begin our games through our defense, we want to spoil the opponent's game. We need to be ready in regard to our energy and we are going to be ready".
In regard to the group's difficulty levels, the 49 year old coach stressed that "the group was going to be tough from the start. I will disagree that whoever loses tonight is out, their options are of course going to be diminished, the group is so volatile and the teams are so equal that details are going to decide the game. Games like that are play off games, not TOP-16 ones, they are very difficult ones. I think that we have experience from such games and we are going to be as tough as needed".
Asked on whether Messrs. Panagiotis and Giorgos Angelopoulos would be able to play on the team, given their performance on the CEO's friendly game organized by Olympiacos a few days ago, Giannis Sfairopoulos answered that "both Presidents are in very good shape and would definitely get minutes on the roster".