Bartzokas: 'I have infinite respect for Monaco, but Olympiacos is something else' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: BNS Credit BNS

Olympiacos Piraeus face AS Monaco in a 'make it or break it' Game 5 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Wednesday night.

AS Monaco / Schedule

Monaco Basket Olympiakos Piraeus83-87 Monaco Basket Olympiakos Piraeus78-77 Olympiakos Piraeus Monaco BasketWed18:00

The Reds' coach, Giorgos Bartzokas, welcomed the pressure that his side will inevitably have to deal with, calling it "a privilege." The Greek tactician, who's been to the EuroLeague Final Four with both Olympiacos (winning the trophy in 2013) and Lokomotiv Kuban (in 2016), has seen his teams need a Game 5 on both occasions.

Regardless of what will happen tomorrow, Bartzokas is sure about one thing.

"We are very pleased with our presence in the EuroLeague thus far," he stressed.

The fact that Olympiacos managed to play three games in the playoffs at home and have this kind of fan support, is very positive for our players. If at the beginning of the year, you asked me if we would play a Game 5 at home and this time of the year, we would all be very happy. That's the way we all have to look at it," Bartzokas initially said.

With Monaco breaking Olympiacos' home-court advantage in Game 2 and the Reds getting payback in Game 3, one can assume that playing at home isn't necessarily a safe way to get to the Final Four. However, Bartzokas thinks that "we shouldn't make generalizations. We lost here and they lost at home. After all, it's mostly about how the team plays. Only then can the home court play a role in the process."

Referring to the decisive factors in the upcoming game, Bartzokas mentioned "approach, will, passion, circumstances".

"I think we'll be ready. I can't say if playing at home is causing us pressure. Fans have been very supportive.

The most important moment was when we lost by 20 points and fans cheered for the team. It was more important than their celebrations after a win or their interest to buy all the tickets in a few hours.

Free throws this season

75%13,6Points made:13,6Accuracy:75,4%Place in standings:4Record max:27Record min:5Most made FTs:Konstantinos SloukasTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Players play the game. We are helping them find a way to approach it. Personally I am very pleased with our EuroLeague run, but in any case it would be fantastic to qualify for the Final Four. I am very pleased with the players' effort."

Bartzokas was asked whether Monaco can upset everyone, like Denmark football national team did in 1992, when they won the European Championship, when they essentially filled in for suspended Yugoslavia. Monaco -albeit being 4-1 against Russian teams- would have definitely faced some harsh competition fighting for a playoff spot had the three Russian squads stayed in contention.

In any case, Bartzokas welcomed the Denmark question with laughter.

"Let's hope they don't," he said.

"We have the most pressure. But let's look at what each team stands for. Let's examine their fanbases, their brand names, their past. I don't underestimate Monaco at all. I respect them infinitely, they're a very good team. But Olympiacos is something else.

We certainly have more pressure. Pressure is a privilege. It means you're playing big games. We should not complain that we are under pressure."

Talking about Hassan Martin's condition and whether the American big man will be able to make his playoff debut, the Greek coach pointed out that everything will go down to the team's last practice.

"In general, he is at a better level, progressively improving, but in essence I can not say whether he'll be able to play or not because he joined practice just yesterday."

Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.