Argyris Pedoulakis and Mike Bramos spoke today before the Panathinaikos' practice, heading to tomorrow's game (20/2, 21.45) against Olympiacos for Euroleague, Top16, Day 7.
Panathinaikos' coach characterized the game "special for the teams, but also for the fans", while adding: "You have to stay focused, you have to be your better self for 40 minutes beside this specificity in order to win. Both teams want the positive result, we know each other very well and I believe that the details will name the winner".
When asked if the teams feels this "must" in this game, he replied: "There is a "must" in every game Panathinaikos plays". The next question was about the defense and if it's going to be the key of the game: "The way the team is with all the problems we had this season, especially with Roko (Leni Ukic), who is our basic play maker, we have to focus on some things that are a given. We miss Roko very much. He is not in a good physical condition, because due to his injury he cannot practice. So, this changes the whole structure of the team. Olympiacos misses Law too, because they miss his scoring. Now, take into consideration that we don't have so many solutions. He is "recruited" in some games to play and he is always in the starting five, so that his legs can be warm, because he doesn't practice so well. Panathinaikos has learned to deal with all these problems and the team will continue to do so".
Panathinaikos' coach denied to make any comment about Zack Right: "We have a Euroleague game ahead of us and we are here to speak about the players that are going to play tomorrow. We are focused on tomorrow's game against Olympiacos and I am not going to speak about something else". He also chose a different reply when asked about the comment mr Giorgos Bartzokas, the coach of Olympiacos, made saying that "it's time for us to win at OAKA": "I understand that you like this kind of stories. But I am not going to follow that logic. We want to keep it low, because this can be transferred to the fans too. The last year the situation is much better. Anything that may "intrigue" the media is not of my concern. And it doesn't concern any of the members of Panathinaikos. We respect all teams and we respect Olympiacos too. We are not getting in this game of answering back or be intrigued".
Finally, regarding James Gist's injury, Panathinaikos' coach said: "He practiced yesterday. Today the practice is more tactic. The test will be tomorrow, during the game. Doctors told us that he is ready to play. I believe that he will be ok. It's important for us, because he is a player who can give us energy and to help us in more than one way".
"It's not a final"
Mike Bramos was asked about tomorrow's game refusing that it's a final for Panathinaikos: "It s a difficult game. They are playing really well right now and we are coming out of a three losses in a row in Euroleague. Every game is different. I don't think it will be the same as it was last time we played against Olympiacos here in OAKA. It's a different game for a different competition. Now, we have to bring our best effort tomorrow in order to win. It's an important game for us, but it's not a final. I wouldn't call it that way. There are still eight games left in this phase and we are looking at them one at a time. This week this game is a final, because it's the game ahead of us. Next week it will be the next game..."
Bramos noted that "small details can make the difference", while adding "We know each other really well. The energy, the passion are important, but you also have to be smart in these games. You can't let the crowd affect you and this goes both ways. Details are important. Both teams have experienced players, especially in this rivalry between the two clubs. We have played a lot of times against each other already. So , I believe that whoever controls the rhythm will come out on top at the end".
