Andrea Trinchieri described Olympiacos as this year’s EuroLeague favorites at the press conference before the match between Zalgiris Kaunas and the Red and Whites for the 27th matchday of the competition (1/3, 20:00).
The Italian coach emphasized that Giorgos Bartzokas’ team will win this year’s EuroLeague.
He also pointed out that he believes a lot in karma and what happened last season in Kaunas in the final against Real Madrid was painful.
“Another reason why the match will be very difficult is that the break came while we were in shape. I don’t know how we will perform tomorrow, as we don’t have rhythm, so I don’t know.”
About the injured Dovindas Giedraitis and Laurinas Biroutis: “Gedraitis will not play, while Biroutis has done some training and we will see. I hope he’s ready to play.”
On the fact that Olympiacos is away in Kaunas: “I don’t want to say much about the match plan, I don’t want to open Pandora’s box. I only know one thing, that they can effectively play a 40 minute game with just five players. This is how they have learned to train and this is their system. I believe that energy and physicality will play a role more than strategy.”
On the good defensive function of the “red and whites”: “As a great coach in the NFL (including Bill Belichick) once said: ‘If you want to play good defense, then they have to sign good defenders.’ They have Walkup, Kanaan, Fal, who dominates under the basket, Papanikolaou… They also have Giorgos Bartzokas, who is a coach who implements a very effective defense. I would say the best defense.”
On whether he missed the evenings with the stadium full in Kaunas: “Too much. We had a good weekend in the Cup, but I’m happy about that. We put the trophy in history, but I’m looking forward to the nights in the EuroLeague. We need an amazing atmosphere, as I said I have unlimited respect for Olympiakos, as they are a very good team. If you asked me which team can take the EuroLeague this year, I would say Olympiacos. I believe in karma, what happened last year was very painful for them.”