Panathinaikos hosts Fenerbahce Ulker tomorrow for Euroleague Top16 Round 11. Fragkiskos Alvertis and Antonis Fotsis spoke to the media for the encounter and its special character since Panathinaikos will also host Zeljko Obradovic, as the coach of the Turkish team.
"It would have been a special game anyway, but now it became a little bit more complicated", stated Alvertis, only to add: "We don't have to say the same things again and again. We know what Zeljko was and is for Panathinaikos. And we know very well what Zeljko means to us, after 13 years next to him. It's a special game sentimentally and also because of the standings. We need this win, but so do they. We have to win. We must not let anything "around" the game affect us. We are doomed to win every single game".
When asked if the atmosphere tomorrow will affect more Obradovic or Panathinaikos, Alvertis replied: "These situations are like hidden traps sometimes. It's something you will able to say only after the game. We have to be focused on our job, to keep our minds inside the four lines of the floor and to stick to our game plan".
And what the game means to him having coached just two games so far, facing a coach like Obradovic? "Beside basketball, wins, losses, I am glad that I will see somebody with whom we share too many things. It will be a special moment, since we are speaking about a coach with great experience, who has conquered all the titles. On the other side I have only coached two games. There are is no space or time for second thoughts though. Everything will finish as soon as we step on the floor for the game. From his side and ours as well".
Referring to the game against Fenerbahce Ulker, Alvertis noted: "Fenerbahce is a dangerous team. They have quality players and a big roster. We have to remain focused in our defensive plan and we intend to try to run a little bit more. We have some injured players, but we stick together as a team and we'll try for the best".
Fotsis: "The best for our team"
Tomorrow's game will be special for Antonis Fotsis, after so many years next to Zeljko Obradovic: "Fenerbahce Ulker is a really good team with a great coach, who has given everything for Panathinaikos. He is here as an opponent for a very important game for both teams. It's important for us to perform well and to celebrate the victory in the end, because it will help us further down the road in Euroleague. It will be strange to see Obradovic with the opponent team here, in OAKA, but this is life. We have great moments to share with him all these years we were in Panathinaikos. Now he is the coach of Fenerbahce Ulker and we are Panathinaikos' players. We'll all do what's best for our team".
Asked if the fact that he knows the way Obradovic thinks during a game helps him or Panathinaikos in general, Fotsis replied: "Knowing some things helps. But with a coach like Obradovic you can never be sure of what to expect. You have to give 120% in order to claim the victory".
