By Dimitris Minarentzis/ info@eurohoops.net
Last year’s disappointing season in Europe that halted a proud four-year journey is for Olympiacos of three European titles the bar that they have to overcome – for starters, this year. With the same economical philosophy that’s been implemented since the summer of 2011, but also with a roster that has few changes as Spanoulis stayed on, influencing the rest of the moves.
It would be futile to talk about goals since those never change for a team of three finals in the last five years, with a compact roster that seeks “revenge” for last year. As long as they endure the “ultra-marathon” that’s coming.
Signings
You know how they say, “few but good”? Erick Green looks like he’s the player that was missing in previous years since he can “fill the shoes” of Vassilis Spanoulis, while Khem Birch will try to become the anti-Hunter. Oh, and let’s not forget the signing of Patric Young who has returned from last year’s serious injury, and that no ‘4’ was acquired despite popular demand. Three or four Greek players are proof of the opposite…
Coach
Giannis Sfairopoulos has settled, beginning his third season with the Piraeus team, more experienced now. He has a 32-18 record with Olympiacos in the Euroleague and one appearance in a final of the competition! Not bad at all…
They will be satisfied if:
If you’re an Olympiacos fan you’d say that only winning the title would make you happy. We’re certain, though, that the team’s… obvious goal is the qualification for the Final Four in “Sinan Erdem”. Well, it’s Istanbul, anything can happen there…
We are anxiously waiting to see…
… Erick Green changing Olympiacos’s pace. Or, in other words, the combination of Spanoulis and Green and the effectiveness of the American guard for whom a lot of money was spent and whom everyone is expecting to make an impression.