May 24, 2013
Semifinal preview quotes: Olympiacos vs. Panathinaikos
Olympiacos
Panathinaikos

YOTAM HALPERIN, guard
"It’s going to be a tough game. It’s a Final Four and even though the previous three times I was here with Maccabi, a Final Four is a Final Four. We worked very hard to get here and now we want to win two more games. We prepare for this game like any other. Even though we played Panathinaikos three times this season, we still need scouting reports to freshen our memory. The Olympiacos fans are amazing and they lift us. They are one reason that we want to win."
JOSH CHILDRESS, forward
"We are where we wanted to be, where I wanted to be, and that's at the Final Four fighting for the championship. I've enjoyed my time here, my teammates, my coaches, and now it's time for all of us to get focused on the game tomorrow against Panathinaikos and make it an unforgettable season for Olympiacos. There has been a lot of buzz lately in Greece and Europe about this game and we will do our best not to disappoint our fans."
JANNERO PARGO, guard
“It’s big game. This is what basketball is about. We all want to be No. 1. It was a tough adjustment in the beginning, not only to the team, but to European basketball, but my coaches helped and now I feel comfortable. In the NBA I was a guy who came of the bench and used my skills to score points. My job was to be creative and make things happen. That’s something that could make a difference here, when the teams know eachother so well and will play tough defenses, closing the passing lanes. I think rebounding and limiting our turnovers are the keys to winning. If we clean the glass and hold onto the ball, we’ll have a big advantage.”
GEORGIOS PRINTEZIS, forward
"It is a very good experience to be here, not only for me but for the entire team. Olympiacos is a young team, we keep getting better and better and I believe this is will be a great experience for everybody. I believe that the biggest key to this game is having a clear mind. This is a game that is different than any other, for many reasons. This is like a final to us. Defense and a clear mind will be very important tomorrow."
ZORAN ERCEG, center
"It feels great to be there. This is my first Final Four in the first season I play outside my country. This is a great experience for me and I hope to play well tomorrow. If we play good defense, we will see what happens against Panathinaikos. Every Panathinaikos - Olympiacos game comes with a lot of pressure and most of the time it is a great showdown. I expect something similar to what I’ve already seen will happen tomorrow. Of course, it is special because it has been 10 years since Olympiacos last made it to the Final Four. We have to play every game as if it is a final. I try to do my best in every practice and if I have the chance to play, I will do all I can on the court."

KOSTAS TSARTSARIS, forward
"It's been three weeks since we defeated Siena in the playoffs and these 20 days have been like two days for us. Time goes by very quick. We are just hours away from the game and the pressure gets stronger. But also our focus is better than it used to be, so we are getting ready for this one game. I can't tell you our secrets, but I think that the details are going to show the better team, and that one will be in the final, so that is what we have to work on. I believe that the team that controls this aspect better will be in the title game on Sunday. We have faced Olympiacos three times already this season, but it will be different this time because the goal is different. And I think that everybody is more focused than on any other occasion, we're going to keep the good things from the other games, but this is a different story."
DUSAN KECMAN, guard
"This is my first Final Four and it is great to be here. The atmosphere is great. You feel that something important is going on. Nothing special is going to happen tomorrow, everything is very well organized, at the highest level. My first impression could not be better, because the arena is amazing, too. It is going to be great to play in such a big environment tomorrow. There are going to be a lot of Greek fans and everyone knows how the basketball atmosphere is in Greece. In these games, small details determine the final result, one missed free throw, a turnover... we will have to wait and see."
STRATOS PERPEROGLOU, forward
"I just got into the arena and it is amazing, maybe the best in Europe. We are about to practice, see how everything is, how comfortable we feel and get ready for tomorrow. We have to control the pace and play a high-tempo game if we want to beat Panathinaikos tomorrow. Another big key is to control the rebounds and prevent them from playing their organized game. They are an excellent team on offensive rebounds. Being in the Final Four is a big thing for any player's career. You don't have many opportunities to be in such an event and I hope to give my best."
ANTONIS FOTSIS, forward
"We are very excited and can’t wait to play. It’s going to be a tough game and small details could be what decides. We have to give 100% all of the time. The team that plays harder, the team that plays better, will win. We have prepared for this game similar to our other games against Olympiacos, but better."
DUSAN SAKOTA, forward
"It feels good to be here. Making it to the Final Four is a great achievement for our club history. We had a good year, a good season and can complete it with the Euroleague title. Of course, we will try to our best. We have to set the game rhythm that we need in this game and control the rebounds. The key will be avoiding mistakes as much as we can. This is my third Final Four and I am very proud of that. Above all, I hope it will not be my last."
NIKOLA PEKOVIC, center
"It feels really good to be at my first Final Four because it is something very special for me. The organization is great and I am hoping that we will have a very good game tomorrow. Panathinaikos - Olympiacos is one of the biggest basketball derbies in Europe, for sure. It is a very, very special game and both teams will fight hard to win it. It will be a good game to watch, too. We need to be 100% concentrated to beat Olympiacos tomorrow but it all may come down to small details. We have to play at the highest level to make it to the final."
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Euroleague.net
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