Panathinaikos is preparing for its next game against Efes Pilsen and Zeljko Obradovic has a new appointment with his players in OAKA this afternoon. The coach of Panathinaikos talked about the games in Slovenia, before turning his head to the game against Efes Pilsen (Thursday, 21.00, OAKA).
“It was very strong tournament and we faced three Euroleague teams. We had to deal with teams and situations that we’ll have to deal during the season. For us, as coaches, it was very important the fact that we played three completely different games. The first one against Maccabi Tel Aviv was tough and it really didn’t look like a friendly game. Both teams wanted to win badly and both teams fought for the positive result till the end. In the second game against Olimpija we showed two different faces: A very bad one in the first half, while we played excellent in the second half, coming back from -14. The third game against Fenerbahce/Ulker was completely different. I had the chance to use all my players and to rest some of the others. It was very good for us. I want everybody to understand how they have to play, what they have to do on the floor. I understand that what we did was not easy, to play five games in seven days. It was normal that the players felt tired towards the end. But we have to understand what it means to play for Panathinaikos. We want to play the way we really can play. I want my players to play with extra motive and that’s why I said, what I said in Lubljana. I believe that everybody understood!”
Talking about the game against Efes Pilsen, Obradovic added: “We have two very strong games against Efes Pilsen in OAKA and in Turkey, a team that plays very well so far. I expect a very interesting game. What we want to see beside the reaction of our team on the floor is the fans of Panathinaikos next to us one more time! Our last… date was almost for months ago, on the 4th of June and we want to see them again in the OAKA. I believe that everybody want to see the team after all this time. This game against Efes Pilsen is a good chance to get together again, now that the team is returning to its home”.
* The tickets for the game against Efes Pilsen can be purchased today and tomorrow from Gate 10 (“Apostolos Nikolaidis”, Alexandras Ave.) from 10.00 to 20.00 and on Thursday from 10.00 to 18.00; after 18.00 fans can get their tickets from OAKA.
