BARTZOKAS: "At Olympiacos, we are all just passing through"

If we truly are what we think, then Giorgos Bartzokas, who shared his thoughts via OlympiacosBC.gr shortly before the team’s departure for Abu Dhabi, is fully prepared for the great challenge awaiting the Olympiacos family. Having led Olympiacos to four consecutive Final Fours, and winning the EuroLeague title in 2013 in London, the decorated coach spoke about the significance of this year’s objective, the pressure he must manage, and the absolute trust he has in his players. He recalled unforgettable moments, explained how he personally prepares for such a major event, and sent a message to Olympiacos fans.

– What’s the first feeling that comes to mind when you hear the phrase: “Euroleague Final Four”?

“It’s always a pleasant feeling, but it’s different each time because the teams are different. For example, going to the Final Four with Lokomotiv Kuban felt different, knowing the team had already overachieved. But it’s a different story with this year’s Olympiacos, whose only goal is to win the title. The approach is never exactly the same, because the level of pressure each team carries is different. Sometimes the feeling is, ‘We made it,’ and other times- like this year - it’s, ‘Now the real journey begins.’ In any case, your full focus is on how to win the first game.”

– How is this year’s team approaching the event? After qualifying against Real Madrid, we saw that celebrations were minimal to nonexistent. Does that say something about the players’ mindset, their ambitions, or how they define success?

“Absolutely. It says this is a team that aims high and is very aware of its potential. It’s also a team that proved its consistency throughout the season. For me, that’s reflected in our 11 road wins; an all-time record for the club.

– You’ve said that Olympiacos faces the most pressure this season. As the Final Four approaches, does that pressure grow or lessen, given the team is exactly where it planned to be and knows who it is and what it can do?

“I don’t know if it’s fair or unfair, but the fact is that Olympiacos goes to the Final Four with the most pressure compared to the other three teams. That pressure will peak in the coming days, but that’s completely expected; and we’re absolutely ready to handle it. Olympiacos and pressure are synonymous. When you represent this club, you must always be prepared to carry its weight. Beyond that, a team reduces stress and pressure when things go well on the court. That means having more healthy players in training, working well - as we’ve been doing in recent days; seeing everyone focused, taking care of their bodies, their lifestyle, and preparing mentally. I believe a good way to avoid the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere is to be well-prepared and not feel like you’re going in blindly.”

– The fans want more than anything to see Olympiacos, after the basketball it has played and the effort it has made over the past four years, rewarded with a European title. Do this year’s team’s capabilities make you more comfortable with whether it can handle that accumulated pressure?

“Yes, I feel better than in other years. When you trust your team, nothing can scare you. It’s not in my nature to make predictions, guesses, or speak with absolute certainty about results, but it’s enough for me to feel confident in my team’s value, in knowing we’re on the right path, how we train, how we react to challenges throughout the season, the spirit we’ve built. These are objective facts that give us security, calm, and above all, the belief that we’ll go there and fight with solid tools.”

– That “25% chance for each team” we always mention; does it reflect how hard and narrow the path to the Final Four is, or is it more of a cliché, and in reality, some teams always have better chances from the start?

“I don’t think it’s a cliché, because a lot depends on how these teams arrive during those two days. And that doesn’t always depend on their preparation. It often comes down to mental and physical fatigue and how it’s managed, injuries, or the form of players returning from injury. Momentum and circumstances always play a role in sports. Take the Celtics, for example: they dominated Game 3, then by halftime of Game 4 they were lost, and suddenly Tatum suffers an Achilles injury…”

– Can pure basketball logic prevail at the Final Four and be enough to take Olympiacos to the top?

“I’d really love it if things worked that way. That based on the basketball we’ve played, which consistently got us to Final Fours, twice finished first in the regular season in the past four years, some of the records Olympiacos has set, we’d be rewarded with a Euroleague title. But I’ll say it again: life is unpredictable. You never know what it will throw at you. You often need some luck, because without it, you can’t do it. But in such a long season and such a large sample of games, you can’t simply rely on luck.”

– It seems that the further you go in the Euroleague, the more responsibility shifts to the players and away from the coach. At the Final Four especially, we often see that tactics matter less than personalities and players’ decisions. How tough is it for a coach to realize that, in the most critical games, his influence is limited?

“You can’t be naïve in 2025. It’s foolish to think everything is in your hands. I always say basketball has always been a player’s sport; and that becomes even more evident in games that decide titles or progression. On the other hand, anyone who downplays the role of coaching doesn’t understand the sport. It’s the second-most tactical sport after American football. Every possession can be chosen by the coach, every defensive set can be tailored based on scouting, analysis, and prep. Of course, players decide games; but still, and I don’t say this just for myself but for all coaches, you can often tell who a team’s coach is just by watching them play.”

– Since in a 40-minute game no philosophy can truly be fully displayed, would you say that these final two games come down to which players from the four teams will step up at the right moment to cross the finish line first?

“Of course, it plays a huge role whether your most impactful players are feeling good and ready to rise to the occasion.”

– Does this year’s Olympiacos roster make you feel optimistic that you have those players? 

“Absolutely—it’s been proven. You can see how we’re viewed across Europe, and what our opponents say about us in interviews. I know very well who we are and what we’re capable of, even though in this job we tend to focus more on our weaknesses; because that’s what we need to fix. But I also see the way Olympiacos is perceived in terms of how we play, the talent of our players, the depth of our roster. So yes, I believe this squad has the personalities and the character to manage the pressure, no matter how big it is.”

– Throughout the season, Olympiacos fans have shown constant support with countless sold-outs, traveling abroad, and more. Alongside this support, though, there’s a strong “we want this” sentiment from them—to see Olympiacos reach the summit. Do you have a message for the fans as the team leaves for Abu Dhabi?

“A simple thank you isn’t enough. I believe everyone who has worked at Olympiacos over the past few years has contributed to the creation of a new basketball culture; a culture that, by general consensus, is different from that of other teams. The fans have shown that they appreciate this: the bond between the players, the great chemistry, the unity of the team. The rise and dominance of Olympiacos over the past 3–4 years has reignited interest in basketball across Greece. I don’t say that arrogantly, it’s just how I see it. PAOK had a strong European run. AEK had a great BCL campaign. Panathinaikos won the Euroleague and made a big investment. What does that show? That one strong team raises the level of everyone else. The fact we’ve built a basketball culture that’s embraced by the fans; that’s the most important legacy. Still, as much as that’s a foundation for the future, if it’s not validated with titles, it remains incomplete. The fans should know that our own desire is immense; and the pressure we place on ourselves is far greater than any external one.”

– Obviously, it’s neither realistic nor mature to promise the team will return with the trophy. But what is something you can promise the fans as you leave for the Final Four?

“That we’ll be as well prepared as possible. And that we’re fully aware of the responsibility we carry. Everyone, not just players, but physios, coaches, strength staff, the front office, has a duty not only to themselves and their work on the court, but also to the club and to the fans. Olympiacos is a club that lives off passion, and it feeds on titles and success. That’s why we’re here - for those titles - and we’ll keep doing everything possible to achieve them.”

– Do you sense that same hunger for the Euroleague title from within the team? Do you feel that the players believe it must happen?

“Yes, 100%; without a shred of doubt. Everyone has set the bar extremely high from day one. And I think that’s reflected in their reactions, their statements, and their consistent humility. No one, at any point during the season, has allowed themselves to feel like they’ve already accomplished something.”

– Do you see that same hunger for the title in the club's presidents? How have they contributed to this year’s effort?

“They were the first to show their desire and hunger by making a significant investment last summer. They were the ones who gave the signal and set the bar high, building a roster capable of reaching the top. They believe in this team more than anyone and are doing everything they can to help realize the fans’ dream. But I wouldn’t say they add pressure. On the contrary, they are always supportive, present in decision-making, involved in the team’s daily needs; but in a discreet way that allows us to work freely. And they’ve been like that for years, never trying to gain anything for themselves from Olympiacos. It’s pure love.”

– How do you personally prepare for a Final Four outside the court? Any special routines?

“I also follow my own preparation. I want to be in good mental and physical condition. I work out every day, stay focused, avoid going out. I try to do what I expect my players to do; basically, treat it like a 20-day mini training camp, which is what we’re doing right now.”

– Would you say it was better for the team to have more time for recovery and practice, or is it true that staying in rhythm through constant games is more beneficial?

“We counted, and if I’m not mistaken, we’ve played 69 games already this season over quite a long period. It was important to get back to practicing, because we’ve missed that throughout the year. Coaches need practice time. At the same time, we had two games against a very respectable opponent like AEK. We needed both. practice and a couple of competitive matches. I think this period offered a good balance for the coaching staff.”

– Looking back on the four Final Fours you’ve been to with Olympiacos, is there one moment that stands out to you as the most iconic? One that best represents what “Olympiacos” means?

“There are several, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be from the 2013 final in London; the block on Mirotic by Hines and Papanikolaou, which turned into a fast break and a layup by Acie Law. It was a perfect example of this club’s altruism; two players sprinting back to fix a mistake and turning it into an advantage, suffocating the opponent. That kind of defensive transition effort says a lot about a team’s character, and I think that play shifted the momentum in our favor. It was incredible to watch.”

– Is there a Final Four moment that personally affected you the most or left a lasting impression?

“Llull’s shot. Even now, I’d tell you I wish we had won that game, even if it meant not making this year’s Final Four. That moment still stings deeply.”

– How would you like the Olympiacos fans to remember you once you eventually stop coaching?

“I’m fully aware that we’re all just passing through, and only Olympiacos remains. Everything that’s happening in my life right now is thanks to Olympiacos. I do a job which, at the level it has reached - considering the coverage, the fan response, the emotions - contains a large dose of exaggeration. Olympiacos’s immense stature has created all of this. Without Olympiacos, I’d just be another professional. So no, I don’t care about legacy. Whatever history records; that will be the truth.”

– Coaching a team you’ve loved since childhood in games that shape history, like a Final Four; does that push you in a positive way, or does the fan inside you sometimes cloud your judgment?

“No, I wouldn’t say that. Whatever job I’ve had, I always formed a strong bond with the people, the environment, the fans. Whether it was cold Khimki, warmer Lokomotiv, Barcelona, Maroussi, or Panionios, I’ve always felt emotionally connected. That’s just who I am. Obviously, this is a special situation for me, living this at Olympiacos. But ultimately, when you do this job. and if you’ve managed to coach so many Euroleague and domestic games, you’ve learned how to handle it.”

– Let’s talk about the semifinal against Monaco. How do you initially approach it? Of course, there’s the special element of Spanoulis being on the opposing bench - an iconic Olympiacos figure - but there’s also a very real opponent on the court. What’s the focus?

“The biggest mistake we could make is to focus on who’s coaching Monaco, rather than what Monaco is as a basketball team. Right now, they’re our opponent. We talk to our players only about basketball; what Monaco represents on the court. It’s going to be a very tough challenge. They’re a talented team, with a core group of players who’ve been together for years. They’ve evolved, improved, and they’ll be very strong contenders for the final.”

– If you could go back and meet your younger self at the beginning of your coaching career, is there any advice you’d give him now, after everything you've experienced?

“My younger self could never have imagined all this would happen. Everything I’ve built, mistakes, oversights, missteps, all led to the maturity I needed to develop. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve always bonded with my environment. I worked one season completely unpaid,  didn’t get a single salary, and still, I never regretted it, even though I was going through financial hardship. That passion for basketball and this job has, in some way, paid me back.”

– In 2012, you took over a team that had just won the Euroleague as a massive underdog. And although you were first in the standings, the only direction was technically downward. Yet you led them back to the top. Does that challenge compare to this year’s, where the team faces immense pressure and success will only be defined by winning the trophy?

“When that season ended, I thought there couldn’t possibly be a tougher job than that one. But now, I’d say that this year’s challenge is certainly comparable in difficulty. Let me assess it when the season ends, but the mere fact that we’re even comparing the two shows just how unique this moment is.”

– Still, it’s clear that Giorgos Bartzokas performs best under pressure, in the most demanding challenges.

“Yes. I love competition. I love pressure. And I genuinely love being doubted. In some strange way, it fuels me.”