Bartzokas to bwinSPORT FM 94.6: “The change of culture at Olympiakos is a bigger achievement than the titles”

THE Olympic continued the collection of domestic titles, by winning the Cup in Heraklion, reaching a unique achievement in its history. The architect of these successes, George Bartzokasspoke to News Bulletin 247 and the Nico Zerva after the victory of the Piraeus in the “Two Aorakia” with 69-58 of Panathinaikou AKTOR in the final.

“Titles are always important at a club like Olympiacos, but the different culture that Olympiacos has at the moment in how it operates I think is even more important to me“, he emphasized to 94.6 o 58 year old technician.

“I am very optimistic about the future, I believe very much in our team, in our way of working, in the mentality of our players and their character“, pointed out the Greek technician.

“I liked the atmosphere. I didn’t like being cursed at my mother, but I’m used to it now“, emphasized George Bartzokas.

In detail what he said about:

-the fact that he has associated his name with unprecedented success for Olympiakos (seven consecutive title wins): “I am lucky because when I went back to Olympiakos with my colleagues, after the presidents proposal, I had something like this in mind. It would be ideal to create a different culture at Olympiakos and I think this is our biggest achievement. Titles are always important at a club like Olympiacos, but the different culture that Olympiacos has at the moment in how it operates I think is even more important to me».

– the absence of Williams-Goss, the plan that served the team and the functioning of the defense: “I think there’s no doubt we’re a good team defensively, there’s no hole defensively at the moment in our players. Everyone is convinced that this style of play also gives pace to the attack. Even when we missed so much in the first half on open shots, being nervous, we continued to play the same defense and create from the inside out, we made 3-4 shots that opened the scoring and then our confidence went into … heavenly, while that of Panathinaikos fell».

– the fact that players who are not usually protagonists came forward: “When I said about a culture change at Olympiakos, this is what I meant. That our team must think as a team, not looking at the statistics, someone sacrificing a foul, at the expense of his participation time or giving a final pass, while he could score. This didn’t happen overnight, it took time. I’ve been around for four years, since I came back and we’re going towards four and a half years. The fact that it has been inspired is something very important in my opinion».

-the opinion that it is a transitional season, what Olympiacos has achieved despite the setbacks and the faith he has in the team: “I am very optimistic about the future, I believe very much in our team, in our way of working, in the mentality of our players and in their character. We have some very key players, who, coming to Olympiakos, conveyed an instinct-feeling of a champion. The player who always prepares for the big matches and plays them. In this four-year period there have been too many of us, especially in this three-year period. In addition to these seven titles we won, we went to two Final-4s, previously winning big against very difficult opponents. Although we were hit by bad luck, as we lost by two buzzer beaters, we are still in the spotlight. We fight for our team and for our fans».

-if he liked the atmosphere at “Two Aorakis”: “I liked it. I didn’t like being cursed at my mother, but I’m used to it now».