ANGELOPOULOS: We want the fans by our side
The President of Olympiacos BC Mr. Panagiotis Angelopoulos spoke to the camera of OlympiacosBC TV for the victory against CSKA Moscow, the award presented to Kyle Hines, the presence of the fans in the Peace and Friendship Stadium and the remainder of the TOP-16…
Mr. Angelopoulos, Olympiacos, following a heave loss, in every aspect, in Istanbul, reacted well, isn't it so?
"Yes, I think that defeat did us well, not that we like to lose, but when you enter a marathon, losing a game, gives the coaches the opportunity to work on things that they wouldn't normally put so much emphasis on, the team becomes more determined. That is, if tonight's game was following a 5-0 record, maybe the outcome was not going to be the same, you can't know that of course, it's all hypothetical analysis, but that's sports".
In your eyes, was the undefeated record of CSKA an extra motivation?
"Yes, I wasn't really thinking about it, but I believe the players were. But even if CSKA had lost a game previous to tonight, I still think the passion would be the same. Of course, who the opponent is, what their budget is and how hard you fight all have their importance".
Before the game there was the presentation of an award to Kyle Hines. A comment on that"
"We won two Euroleague titles with Hines, I told him he was always going to be a part of the history of our team and we thank him for what he has offered. But he remains a rival on the floor".
The fans applauded for him, but they all the more encouraged the team when it was trailing in the beginning.
"The fans were right to do that in the beginning, their support was great throughout the game. We need them by our side in all the remaining home games".
As the coach says, "we look at one game at a time", but if we leave the game against Nea Kifissia behind and we only focus on the Euroleague games, any comment on the upcoming road game against Nizhny?
"From what we have witnessed, they are a very good team and it's a very important game. If we close the first round with a 6-1 record, it's going to be really important. Our victory tonight was very important anyway, because our next opponent has lost to CSKA, but it's an important game none the less".
The first round is not over yet, it will be with the game against Nizhny, but from what you have seen up to now, how do you thing the group is going to end up and which do you think Olympiacos's ranking is going to be?
"The goal is clear, we need to maintain home court advantage for the quarter finals, I think we are in a good path, but for sure we aim further, it's not just the day to day approach, we see how the schedule evolves, how many home games you have left and if you are in a good place considering the road victories we have achieved".
Do you watch what's going on in the other group in regard to the quarter finals match ups?
"I do, but I cannot interfere with what the coaches have been saying. I cannot not watch basketball, but then, so what? Can I predict the opponent?"
Is there a preference in regard to the other group?
"No, you cannot say you prefer some team, they have very strong teams there, Real and Barcelona will probably have the two top seeds, but Maccabi is very strong as well, I think that the fourth spot is open in the other group".