Giorgos Bartzokas took stock of Olympiacos’ course in the EuroLeague regular season, touching on adversity and player absences. He also provided injury updates and explained why this season has been the hardest for him.
For Giorgos Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus’ first-place finish in the EuroLeague regular season is far from a given—it’s a triumph against the odds.
“We managed to complete a very difficult and exhausting regular season,” Bartzokas said after Olympiacos’ 99–93 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“It’s remarkable that we finished first while having so many players watching games from the bench, the hospital, or the stands.”
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
28
|
| Moses Wright | |
| Points | 18 |
| Accuracy | 7-10 |
| Rebounds | 6 |
| Assists | 3 |
In a season plagued by injuries, the Reds never once had their full roster available.
“We never played one game this year with a full squad,” Bartzokas emphasized.
“It’s hard to evaluate a roster when you never see it whole. If you had told me we’d finish first without [Thomas] Walkup, I’d say it’s impossible.”
Key players like Nikola Milutinov, Moustapha Fall, and Walkup missed long stretches. Moses Wright, fresh off a four-month recovery from a respiratory infection, returned just in time for the final stretch.
“Moses was supposed to play only five minutes in the first two games, based on medical advice,” Bartzokas explained. “And yet, here he is.”
The coach gave credit where it was due: “Everyone’s doing an amazing job—especially management. They gave us a deep roster, so we wouldn’t be devastated by injuries and absences.”
It’s this depth, he says, that got them across the finish line.
“We had 6–7 players watching from the sidelines tonight. The entire frontline, all the guards—Vildoza, Walkup—they’ve been out for months. I want to give a lot of credit to our players. It was not easy in such a demanding season.”
Bartzokas also provided updates: “Fall and Milutinov were close to playing tonight. Walkup is already training with contact. Vildoza will need more time.
As for Keenan Evans—he’s one of the top three guards in Europe. But throwing him into playoff fire might not be the best idea.”
Reflecting on the team's effort, Bartzokas said simply:
“This was the hardest season for me. I feel vindicated by this version of Olympiacos. We’re in a nihilistic era where everyone’s quick to judge.
But this team kept going. We’ll work hard these next 10 days to be ready for the most important part of the year.”
