Bartzokas: “There is mental and physical strain, to play at our level”

THE George Bartzokas admitted ahead of Valencia (24/2, 21:30) that there is mental and physical strain at Olympiakos after winning the Cup.

What he said in detail

On the mental management after the Cup: “Fortunately we had four days to get back to the right pace. We played three games in a row and there is a mental but mostly physical strain. We have to slowly get back to the pace required for a difficult game.”

On whether it plays a role that Valencia played one match and not three like Olympiacos: “I think so since they didn’t play three games but in the first one they were out and so they had more time to prepare the match.”

For Valencia and the difficulties of the match: “We have lost in the first round in a game we controlled. He plays at a tempo like all Spanish teams, at a high tempo. There is a core that everyone plays together and this year has added athleticism as well as a new coach. Overall, he has had a successful run in the EuroLeague so far and shows that he will fight until the end. They are a team with good partnerships, tall bodies in the forwards. With us he did some tricks in the first round that proved effective. We have to play at our level. Details will play an important role».