By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos is just the fourth team repeating in Euroleague during the Final Four era after Olimpia Milano (1987, 1988), KK Split (1989, 1990, 1991) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (2004, 2005). It’s was a dream come true for the Greeks and coach Bartzokas didn’t hide his emotions in the press conference after the final.
Being the first Greek coach who won the Euroleague title, Bartzokas has already his place in European basketball history and spoke about the season of Olympiacos: “Life makes beautiful stories and I want to thank everybody that belongs to Olympiacos. We had a very difficult time throughout the year. It was a very difficult situation with injuries and people were talking against us. But we reached the summit again. Our character is of a team that never gives up. We can play different types of basketball. We can score 60 points like against Moscow or 100 in the next game. We were united and we are a big example for all of Greece that we can make miracles”.
On Olympiacos being able to pull big comebacks: “The fact that Olympiacos turns games around has happened many times this season. We do not panic. We have a way to come back in games. We have players with a character. They have soul. I just tried to encourage them. Real started very strongly. We felt a shock. The team plays a very different game than we play. Real is a very talented team. We said that we have to make sure that we take the defensive rebounds. And then there was Vassilis. In the second half we thought it was impossible for Spanoulis not to be extremely good”.
On his work as a coach: “I was in the right place at the right time with this team. I was lucky to lead a team that has shown so many times that it has great talent and plays in a great way. I just managed the situation with my coaching staff and achieved this great moment”.
On feeling blessed for his triumph: “Everything is God’s will, but God and luck are with people who try to do things”.
On Olympiacos being the best team in Euroleague: “It’s very honorable to consider Olympiacos one of the best teams in the Euroleague. This result shows that we are one of the best. We spoke about the talent, but the best thing about this team is that it works very hard individually and as a team. They accept that they have to work very hard”.
On being the first Greek coach who wins Euroleague: “The Serbian coaches who achieved the previous titles with Greek teams helped Greek basketball. They brought the knowledge. We say there is a school of coaches and there is a great character. I’m very lucky, but in my face is the face of the Greek coach. I hope there is a continuation and many coaches will achieve more titles”
Vasilis Spanoulis was the final MVP for the third time, tying the record of Tony Kukoc. The Croatian legend has also three final MVP titles, but two Euroleague trophies, compared to Spanoulis three. As the Greek guard said: “It was an unbelievable three days in London. We came as champion, but also the underdog. You know the budget and the difficult season we had after being a champion and then playing so many games. We had our backs against the wall so many times. There was a lot of discussion, but this was good because it made us stronger. We overturned many games like today. We beat two great teams, and we deserve to be at the top of Europe.”
On his games in the Final Four: “The last two games have been very difficult for me. I always faced two or three players on me. But this is my role. I attract players on me to open up other players. I tried to look and find out what would be the best solution and try to see what Real Madrid was doing and I was better in the second half.”
On the come back from a 17 points deficit in the final: “We know that a game lasts 40 minutes and not 10 minutes. We did it before. We were down 15 against Efes and that gave us wings to continue fighting.”
On Olympiacos scoring 100 points: “Scoring 100 points in a final is a big achievement. Ths team has amazing chemistry. Everyone knows his role. Coach came into a difficult situation. We remained united in the locker room. You can see that the character is excellent. We feel like a family and we are a family.”
He was also asked about the possibility of returning to the NBA since he is a free agent, but he just said: “We just want to enjoy this. It doesn’t happen every day. It took us 15 years to win a title and now we have one two years in a row.”