Bartzokas: “Panathinaikos will want to answer for what was done and said”

A completely different game compared to the Super Cup final and a much more determined Panathinaikos is waiting to find in front of him the George Bartzokas for Olympic in the match between the two teams for the Euroleague on Friday at OAKA (21:15).

“It will be 100% different. The matches are never the same. It is different where it takes place. OAKA is a tough place to play. We are excited to start the year and hope to put in a good performance and start with a win“, emphasized the coach of Piraeus.

“We will have to impose the way we play. The good defense, which will give us the possibility for primary or secondary surprises, being good at rebounds. Those things that were important in the previous match. We expect Panathinaikos to be more aggressive, less hesitant, more determined, because they will want to respond to what was written, said and done in the Rhodes match. And because they have good material and a good coach, I believe they will be more ready to face us».

He confirmed the absence of Mustafa Fal and left open whether Ignas Brazdeikis will be included in the squad. “Fal will not play, as he was selected to do an individual program and play next. Brazdeikis has had two team practices with our team and is improving all the time, but he is coming off a three-week layoff. We will think after today’s training whether he will be in the 12 or not“, he pointed out.

Finally, he mentioned the loss of Yiannis Ioannidis. “The presidents, the captain and I were at the memorial service to honor the man who contributed to changing the modern history of Olympiakos. The rebirth of Olympiakos went through his own mind and of course the president, the players and everyone who was then in the team. He envisioned what happened. His imprint is huge not only on Olympiakos, but also on all Greek sports. Our condolences to his wife and daughter».