Zeljko Obradovic did not want to say much about Panathinaikos’ performance in tonight’s game, but had good things to say about Maroussi. “It is appropriate to recognize that today Maroussi was excellent. They deserve to be congratulated and had the possibility to beat us. Indeed, they played a very powerful game all the way through.”
Panathinaikos’ coach went on to talk about what the coaching team had planned before the game: “Our plan before the game was to proceed to a rotation in order to give some of the main players a breather. The only good thing was that we gave some of them the chance to relax today. Let us just say that we played well in offence today. The upcoming holidays will do some good to all of us…including the players who will not have to see us for a couple of three-day breaks…”
David Logan underlined: “We committed some turnovers and Maroussi played tough today. Fortunately, toward the end of the game we increased our intensity, kept our cool-headedness, built on a margin and ultimately got the coveted result.”
Maroussi’s coach, Nikos Linardos, mentioned: “We came to play a game without pressure. We stared Panathinaikos in the eyes and this gives us confidence. We have only had one US player and expect some additions to the roster to get our fair share of the pie at the end. Greek basketball is based on few people and is now on shaky ground. I hope that everything works out well, that both Olympiakos and Panathinaikos do well in Europe, and that those who are somnambulantly walking on clouds wake up and realize the harm they are causing to Greek basketball. You cannot clone these guys…they all fought hard today, but we also expect some revenues to flow in so that we can also cover Hoffman’s pay.”
Maroussi’s captain, Giannis Gagaloudis, preferred not to say much about the game, but generally refer to the championship instead: “First of all, I want to wish everyone happy holidays and in good health. I would like to say a few things about Maroussi. I am not going to talk about the game. We who play here have been in this sport for many years. We have heard many things, both right and wrong. First of all, we full support our coach who is a fighter and we are the only ones who know what he is going through; no-one else but us. Those who are not travelling on the same boat may say whatever they very well please. I am speaking the truth. Secondly, you have never thought of what the rest of the teams are going through, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos excluded. The Greek championship is but a word that starts with a “b” and ends with a “t”. There are no TV rights, and we have been unpaid for five months now. Can anyone come out and tell us what is going on? Can anyone give us an answer? We cannot have happy holidays. We wish that you at least do.”
