Panathinaikos is facing tomorrow (19:00, ET3) Aris at “Alexandreion Melathro” in the OPAP BasketLeague second round 1st competition date. The Thessalonians come into the game after having defeated Peristery and appear stronger in their home arena. Dimitris Itoudis referred to tomorrow’s game and the “Greens’” next opponent.
“It is a tough away game. Aris seems to have recently found its former homogeneity, which was not the case in the first game between us on the championship opening competition date. Back then, it was a team that was still in the making with additions and subtractions in its roster, since Oliver left and Bogris was added to it. Now, its homogeneity lies on a better level in its home arena as well, and particularly in games such as the one between us it always has the support of its fans and is difficult to beat them there. They also come into the game after having defeated Peristery, and having made life very difficult for Olympiakos where they lost in the very last shot…We expect a difficult game and must remain focused throughout all 40 minutes in order for us to be the ones who set the pace we want to the game.”
Itoudis also commented on Aris’ roster: “James and Davis are two very important players, insofar as the organization but also the execution parts of the game are concerned. These two are primary backcourt players; but there are also other guys who come in from the bench, such as Tsaldaris who has both scoring and creative capabilities, is experienced and one of the players who know well, as he has been with us for a big part of the preparation stage. There are also players such as Verginis, with whom we have worked together for several years and is also capable of both creation and execution, and Kerusch who is particularly athletic and good in open court. As far as the forwards are concerned, they have Aris’ top scorer in the Greek championship, Christos Tapoutos, who has situations of his own and is one of the best shooters. He is a tall forward who can play in three position; plays mostly in positions 4 and 3, and it goes without saying that he requires us to pay special attention to him. The big guys include Giorgos Bogris, who had also been with us for two years, and Krusic; they both have situations in the low post and have similar fighting characteristics; there is also Muldrow, who is more athletic and plays in both positions 4 and 5. They will use zone and some kind of match-up situation. I repeat that it is going to be a very tough game, which we must deal with in all seriousness and clear-headedness… Aris is an opponent that we must respect.”
PHOTOS
