Angelopoulos: “Legends have left, but we remain at the top – Bartzokas is the best in Europe”

Proud of their creation they declared Panagiotis and George Angelopoulos after qualification of Olympiakos to the Final 4.

“I feel joy, pride, vindication“, were the first words of Panagiotis Angelopoulos. “It is the third consecutive final four. We made history tonight. This has never happened before. And even in Barcelona. It was a match with a lot of basketball and non-basketball wood, which probably won the one who wanted it the most, that is us».

Asked if the one who deserved it the most prevailed, he replied: “I believe so. It was a tough series. Barcelona was a very difficult opponent. But, Olympiacos has built a metal, it has chemistry, belief, trust even in difficult times, even when it is behind in the score. Also, he always has players who come forward and they are not always the same. This is what makes Olympiakos more difficult for their opponents to deal with».

On whether it was the metal that changed the psychology after the team’s defeat in the 3rd quarter-final, Giorgos Angelopoulos said: “The whole team was stubborn about what happened. From there today was a battle of giants, decided in the details in the end, against a very good team, who played very well and strongly».

Regarding the importance of the achievement of consistently being in the final four in recent years, despite the opposing teams spending exorbitant amounts, George Angelopoulos emphasized: “We have said it before. Since the EuroLeague system changed, we’ve been to nine Final Fours, which is a terrifying achievement in itself. The three in a row. Legendary players of Olympiacos left in recent years and Olympiacos remained at the top. This is something unique. Plus our budget, if I’m not mistaken, is the lowest of all Top-8 teams. All these successes were made on a very low budget. This is a global phenomenon. No one will. Let’s enjoy it, let’s live it and let’s explain it another time».

In response to a question as to whether he feels that luck owes the red-whites something, Panagiotis Angelopoulos commented: “This question is often asked by friends as well. It’s not a matter of luck or if we owe it to us to get it compared to last year when we lost it in the last four seconds or when we lost in the last shot in the semi-final in Belgrade. The point is that the players come in determined with Real, to go to the final and fight a new battle. The point is to beat Real. I think it’s a matter of ability, faith of the coach and the players for each other. We had a lot of serious injuries during the season. The team strengthened and overcame very difficult situations. A team that loses key players is hard to rebuild chemistry. Other European teams, Barcelona, ​​CSKA, Real, have reached three consecutive final fours, but they didn’t have our budget. When you have a budget of forty million or 50 as CSKA had, it is not a terrible achievement. What we do is incredible».

When asked for a comment about the coach, Giorgos Bartzokas, Giorgos Angelopoulos emphasized: “Giorgos Bartzokas is the top coach in Europe in recent years. He proves it all the time. You see what kind of basketball Olympiacos plays with adversity». And he continued:In sports you also need luck. This is a fact. But, I believe that this team deserves to live even bigger moments. No need to say what has happened. Everyone knows what has happened. We don’t need to repeat it».

On whether he would ever choose an opponent in the final from the other semi-final and whether he would like to face Panathinaikos there, Giorgos Angelopoulos said:When you face the European champion in the semi-finals, you can’t enter into such thoughts. Real is probably the best team, the most complete in Europe. We have a very big semi-final ahead of us. Now in relation to the rivalry you say, it is a given. The point is that there is no toxicity. Unfortunately, the toxicity has returned. And this is something very dangerous for sports. We must look at this issue and condemn unacceptable behavior. Toxicity is dangerous, rivalry is healthy».

Panagiotis Angelopoulos was appointed for the same issue. “The point is to get past Real. If we go through, either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos will definitely be a terrible final. Both teams are very good. We do not choose an opponent».