Bartzokas: "The Olympiacos - Superbet partnership is monumental"

Olympiacos BC head coach Giorgios Bartzokas attended the press conference marking the official launch of the club's partnership with Superbet and spoke to OlympiacosBC TV about the significance of the agreement, the team's summer, and the future.

European champions, Greek champions, and now champions in sponsorships as well. What's your reaction?

"These things usually go hand in hand. Success on the court often leads to success off it, including in the commercial and sponsorship sector. Sometimes one even helps create the other. This is clearly a monumental partnership, both for Olympiacos and for Superbet. I believe it is a collaboration that will produce great results for everyone involved. We're excited about this new chapter for the club and we're looking to the future with optimism."

Is sporting success alone enough to attract a sponsor?

"From what I heard during the press conference, this agreement had already been reached before this season's sporting achievements, so winning the EuroLeague was not the reason behind it. Superbet appreciated the way Olympiacos operates, the values that define the organization, and wanted to become part of that journey. Of course, the club's enormous fan base was also an important factor. I believe Olympiacos is an example of how an organization should operate within the Greek society. We don't rely on grandiose statements. We remain humble, measured, and focused on setting realistic short-term goals. In the end, that approach allows us to achieve things we may not even have imagined."

How important is it to you that Jean Montero reportedly asked whether you would remain head coach before deciding to join Olympiacos?

"That may simply have been a coincidence. There are players who don't necessarily enjoy the style of basketball Olympiacos plays because they feel it doesn't give them complete freedom. We believe we do give our players freedom, but within a clear structure and with certain principles about how we want to play. Both of our new signings, Jean Montero and Codi Miller-McIntyre, believe that joining Olympiacos will help them grow as players. They see an opportunity for individual improvement while pursuing both personal and team ambitions. These are two excellent players joining the reigning European champions, so becoming part of an already successful environment is also an important step for them."

Olympiacos fans are known for being anxious during the offseason. Can you promise them a calm summer?

"There are successful summers, and there are successful seasons. The two are not always the same thing. Winning the transfer market doesn't automatically translate into success once the season begins. Every EuroLeague club is strengthening its roster. We've already seen remarkable signings across the league. Teams like ASVEL have dramatically increased their budget; Dubai Basketball has entered the market very aggressively, and Panathinaikos has invested heavily as well. The level of competition will be at least as high as last season, perhaps even higher. Ultimately, success depends on much more than signing talented players. It depends on how well they fit together, how willingly everyone accepts their role, and how united the team remains during the difficult moments of the season."

What message would you like to send to Olympiacos supporters? "I hope they enjoy a peaceful summer. I think we helped make this one a happy summer for them. Whenever I meet supporters, they tell me we've given them wonderful sporting memories to enjoy. The only promise I can make is that once the summer is over, we will return to work with exactly the same motivation and determination to achieve great things together."

Finally, how do you feel after signing a new 3-year contract with Olympiacos? "I've said before that Olympiacos is the best club in the world for me. When I said that, it wasn't for effect or to flatter anyone. That's genuinely how I feel. Continuing at the club I love and where I feel completely at home means a great deal to me. But ultimately, what matters most isn't how I feel. What matters is how the Presidents feel, how everyone within the organization feels about the basketball program we're building together. If they are satisfied with the work we're doing, then I am satisfied as well."