Mike Batiste about Greek derby: 'If you're not ready, don't go to the court' / News - Basketnews.com

Mike Batiste gave a quick interview before the Panathinaikos-Olympiacos game where he said that the EuroLeague Final Four game against the eternal opponent was his most memorable while also praising Olympiacos.

Credit: Fotodiena.lt/T.Lukšys Credit Fotodiena.lt/T.Lukšys

The Greek giants Panathinaikos Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus will meet for the first time in the EuroLeague this season today. Before the match, the Greek television that broadcasts the game quickly interviewed Panathinaikos legend Mike Batiste.

"Olympiacos are playing at a level and in a way that motivates them to go to Final Four again. The way they lost last year bothers you for a while but they've shown they're motivated," Batiste told to Nova Sports.

"I like Panathinaikos, they are competitive and fight [in each game]," he said about his former team. "It will be hard for anyone to beat them. There are players from Panathinaikos who can come forward. In such matches, if you are not ready, it is better not to appear on the floor."

Asked to name his favorite moment with Panathinaikos, Batiste did not hesitate.

"2009 was my favorite because it was the first time I played against Olympiacos [in the Final Four] and we beat them. I remember Pekovic's shot and Bourousis' miss. Then we knew we had one job left in the Final."

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