The second semifinal is a rematch of last season’s championship game, which came down to the final shot before Real Madrid triumphed.
Alec Peters, Olympiacos: 'It's anybody's game'
Article
3 Mins read
Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach
"Olympiacos is an unbreakable team on defense. They hold the game to fewer possessions and don't allow you to have a lot of freedom on offense. We like to play fluid, fun-to-watch basketball and they will want us not to make the most out of those skills. They are solid defensively and manage to slow down the game, preventing the opponent from finding advantages. It is an extraordinary, championship-level club. Good people make good clubs, and Olympiacos is full of good people. Bartzokas is the soul of the team, an absolute leader. He is a mirror in which I look up to and a gentleman off the court. He gives the club poise and character. They always return to the game even if they are losing. We won't reach 100 points against Olympiacos and will have to fight for ever ball. Defense is key for them to win the championship, and this is what brought us here. Olympiacos has very good frontcourt players and competes well in the paint, with a lot of resources. They also have players able to generate plays. They have their weapons and we have ours."
Facu Campazzo, Real Madrid guard
"We have to trust the work we have been putting in during these last 8-9 months, to have confidence in that. We have worked very well and that will not change from one day to another. We have to carry on this way and trust each other. Olympiacos plays very good defense in all pick-and-roll aspects. We have to try to play our game and impose our identity, our playing style, running the floor. I think it will be key to control the rebounds. They play really well in the last 6-7 seconds [of each possession], that's where they get stronger. We have to be patient because we will have to play defense on long possessions."
Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid forward
"We will try to be the first team to win the title after finishing first in the regular season. The tradition is not in our favor, but we believe. We don't trust the tradition. We trust our work during the season. I was in tryouts with Olympiacos when I was 13 or 14, and I had one or two practices with Coach Bartzokas and I know how great of a coach he is. All their players have so much confidence because of him.
"Olympiacos has a lot of talent, and we respect them and we know they are very dangerous. As a matter of fact, I think each team here deserves to be here. It will come down to who is more prepared, and also who is luckier. But I think we had a great season so far, finishing first in a EuroLeague that some say was the best ever. We are enjoying the moment and enjoying defending the title."
Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid forward
"We play against a historic team with very good players. We know them first-hand and in this type of competition, we have to focus on our own work, knowing that we play against a very good opponent with a lot of experience. If we play at our usual level as we were during the season, we will have a very good chance to make it to another final. We know we play against a team that fights hard and is very physical. We must be tough from the beginning of the game. They will have a lot of fans in the stands. We are in front of a very good, yet very demanding opportunity."
Game Videos
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Tavares blocks with authority! Motorola Magic Moment
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Hezonja with the up and under! Motorola Magic Moment
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Campazzo magic! Motorola Magic Moment
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Tavares says no! Motorola Magic Moment
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Hezonja takes it all the way! Magic Moment
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McKissic detonates the dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
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Campazzo’s behind-the-back assist! Motorola Magic Moment
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Peters stops Booker! Motorola Magic Moment
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Campazzo superlative pass for Ndiaye dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
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Facu Campazzo: 'Vinicius is awesome, he supports us'
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Great alley-oop dunk from Tavares! Motorola Magic Moment
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Evan Fournier on the buzzer! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
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Moses Wright throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:39
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Facu Campazzo: 'Everybody who played did something positive'
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Campazzo delivers, Hezonja detonates! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:23
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Ibaka the shot blocker! Motorola Magic Moment
Luke Sikma, Olympiacos Piraeus forward
"Their record speaks for themselves. Real Madrid had an unbelievable year as defending champs. Obviously a lot of offensive firepower and playing a high pace. We have to do our work defensively and try to control the pace. There's going to be some big boys battling it out down there tomorrow, a lot of size, so it will be fun to watch again on both sides of the anchors of the defense. It's going to be tough to get an easy bucket tomorrow. They want to play really fast, and we don't want to play into their game. So more than anything, we want to be solid defensively and trust that we will get the shots we want on offense. That's the plan."
Nikola Milutinov, Olympiacos Piraeus center
"The ticket for the game was hard to find, even for the family, but we managed to get some. I came to win the title with Olympiacos, and that would be the crown of my career. Real has quality at each position, it is not just their centers. But I think we also have a quality roster and we can match them. We have to give extra effort to win. The entire season they showed they have the best offense. They played phenomenal basketball and they deserved to be first. We have to be careful with the basketball, try to set a slower rhythm. If we allow them to play in their own rhythm, we don't stand a chance, it will be an easy game for them."
Alec Peters, Olympiacos Piraeus forward
"I think we match up pretty well against them. I think we did both times against them in the regular season. We know what's at stake here with them being the defending champ, them beating us last year in the championship game and hopefully that can carry us and keep us inspired. And tomorrow it can be anybody's game. We have to control a lot. Defensively, they have great pace, a lot of offensive weapons that can hurt you from everywhere. So our defensive game has to be at its best. It's got to be one of our best of the season and that's what guides us and that's what gives us momentum hopefully in the offensive end as well. We can't give them a whole lot of room defensively... I still remember not playing one minute in the championship game last year, so that still sits with me and it's not a great feeling. Now that I'm back here, I'm hoping for a different story and hoping for a different result."