Printezis: 'We hope to give our fans more positive feelings' / News - Basketnews.com
Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal The 2022 Final Four in Belgrade will probably be Giorgos Printezis' career-last.
Free throws this season
76%13,8Points made:13,8Accuracy:75,8%Place in standings:3Record max:27Record min:5Most made FTs:Konstantinos SloukasTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsScheduleThe emblematic Olympiacos Piraeus' captain is competing in his sixth tournament, which could hand him his third EuroLeague trophy. In order for his side to do that, they must get past reigning champs Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Thursday's semi-final.
Printezis joined Olympiacos in 2002 and when presenter Joe Arlauckas mentioned it at the beginning of the inaugural press conference, the 36-year forward joked about it.
"After 20 years, it doesn’t sound so good," he said with a smile.
"It’s a very big honor and privilege to be here. Also,for our fans. Of course, it’s not so easy because our first goal wasn’t the Final Four. We had to fight hard to get here. I am happy, like my team," he said.
Olympiacos have won the last five semifinal games, starting from 2010. Printezis was a part of the team in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017, when the Reds eliminated Barcelona and CSKA Moscow the other three times to reach the final game.
"Sometimes, we used to talk about Final Fours. But all players know what they mean and what it takes to being the team here. Our coach, Sloukas and Papanikolaou have the Final Four experience and give others some advice, but I think they know the way."
Olympiacos' captain was asked about the differences between every Final Four he's been a part of.
"Every Final Four is different," he replied.
"There’s always anxiety and you have to reach your goal. One difference is that Olympiacos have had three different version. First, we had a very big budget and renown players. Then, in 2012-13, we had a low budget and got back-to-back EuroLeagues.
Now, we have a young new team, with the exception of me, Kostas Sloukas and Papanikolaou, we started from scratch to get to the Final Four."
Olympiacos' fans are expected to be the overwhelming majority at the Final Four and Printezis knows how big of an impact their support can have on the team.
"Fans will give us more energy. They have done it all season long. They haven’t put any pressure on us," he said.
Fans became the protagonists in Game 5 against AS Monaco that sealed the Red's Final Four ticket.
"It was amazing. I understand that it wasn’t the right way for the game to finish, but the emotions after two years of COVID were very intense. I hope that we will give them more positive feelings in this Final Four," Printezis concluded.
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