Olympiacos, after finishing last season at the top of the regular season standings only to fall in the EuroLeague Final Four semifinal against Monaco, enters the new campaign with a fresh mindset, according to coach Giorgos Bartzokas.
Speaking to Eurohoops during the Greek club’s media day, Bartzokas emphasized the benefits of lower expectations this year.
“If you want to say that no one considers us the big favorite anymore, like last year, it really favors me, so that I can manage the situation better. There’s no value for everyone to say that since the beginning of the season that you are the No. 1 favorite. This does not lead anywhere, so we should have a more modest philosophy, to get where we can, as best we can,” he said, highlighting a more measured approach.
On a personal note, he added, “I have been in this job and also on the bench of Olympiacos, which is very peculiar. It has a lot of positives and, for me, also some negative things. So I am ok with all that.”
Regarding the upcoming Final Four, which will be hosted in Athens at rival Panathinaikos’ home court, Bartzokas acknowledged the long path ahead.
“In a big club like Olympiacos, a lot of things happen every day. So it would be utopic to think about what may happen in May. I don’t know if I will be on the team, if Olympiacos will be in the Final Four, or not. There’s a long way to go, and through this path we may get there.”
He did note the high standards of the club.
“After four straight Final Fours, there’s a ‘must’ for Olympiacos. Of course, getting to four straight Final Fours is not easy to achieve. Everyone inside basketball understands that.”
On his role as coach, Bartzokas reflected on growth and the inevitability of mistakes.
“People change, we will make new mistakes, not the same, but there’s a base in each person, his own character, the way he thinks. What I can say is that I am grateful for the seventh straight season in my second tenure at Olympiacos. This is not easy, it’s priceless, and even on a hard day, a ‘black’ day, I am thinking that it’s a great joy to be here, work with these people, and have success.”
Discussing his bond with the fans, he recalled the evolution of his relationship with the club.
“I don’t know how this bond happened. I guess it’s the way we played, the fact that we had great runs, like beating Panathinaikos 14 times. If that didn’t happen, things wouldn’t be like this. I think that it was also valued that in my first tenure, we played good basketball, we won the EuroLeague, and I left awkwardly, but after all those years, after working abroad, we have to look at today and tomorrow, because that’s what the club wants.”
With his contract expiring this summer, Bartzokas was asked about the possibility of this being his “last dance” with Olympiacos, a scenario he did not rule out.
“This is also a stereotype. Nobody knows what life holds for him. I could never have imagined that I would stay in Olympiacos for so many years. I like this environment, I enjoy it, and despite having bad days or periods, I have to look at the big picture. I am in an environment where, as long as they want me, I also want to be here no matter what.”
Giorgos Bartzokas: "It's favorable for me that no one considers us the big favorite anymore”https://t.co/s3fgpkXyS5
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) September 23, 2025
