Greek will be spoken this week in the Audi Dome: The "Greek Week" promises a Mediterranean European Cup atmosphere twice as the two big traditional clubs Olympiakos (tomorrow, 19.11., 20:30 CET) and Panathinaikos (Friday, 20:30 CET) visit Munich Westpark. First of all on Tuesday evening the three-time European Champion Olympiakos Piräus led by Vassilis Spanoulis. With three victories and five defeats so far, both teams are on equal footing before the ninth gameday.
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Olympiakos will continue to be led by national hero Spanoulis, 37, who has shaped the premier class like few others. The Shooting Guard has been a EuroLeague champ three times and was a Final Four-MVP. He has played 310 games so far and is now in fourth place all-time (first: Felipe Reyes, 346). If the experienced player stays healthy, he will have scored more points in the premier class than anyone else. At the moment he has 4,070 (13.1 ppg) and ahead of him lies only the retired Spaniard Juan Carlos Navarro (4,152). He is already the all time leader in assists (1,446/4.7 apg) and third in three-pointers (463).
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Active basketball legends Spanoulis and Printezis
In Power Forward Georgios Printezis (292 games, 3,008 points) Olympiakos has a second legend in their ranks - the 35-year-old is the third top scorer in EuroLeague history behind compatriot Spanoulis and is in his 17th season in the highest European competition.
"It's incredible what experience they can bring to the table with Spanoulis and Pritesis who have made history in European basketball," said FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic. "They also have one of the best centers in Europe in Milutinov. But Olympiakos has strengths especially in defense and we have to adapt to a physical opponent and hope that we earn a victory in front of our fans despite the personnel problems."
After the BBL victory over Bayreuth (91-79) Bayern expects to be able to use playmaker Maodo Lo, who was spared on Sunday again after a slight muscle problems with his thigh. Whether Nihad Djedovic (muscle problems after knee stimulation) will also play again is uncertain. Josh Huestis (knee pain) is supposed to increase his training workload this week, TJ Bray (knee surgery) will start running again in the coming days.
"We know what Olympiakos has to offer in terms of quality and they have already experienced everything and want to get into the playoffs, so we have to reach the highest possible energy level with our fans in our hall," said FCBB Guard Petteri Koponen.
While the Bavarians will have around 80 games on their legs at the end of the season, Olympiakos is concentrating this season solely on the EuroLeague. After ongoing debates with their archrival Panathinaikos and the federation about referee decisions and appointments, last season they boycotted the rivalry games against Athens - and thus consciously accepted the step down into the second Greek league (where Piraeus mainly plays their youngsters).
Head coach is Kestutis Kemzura, the former assistant of coach David Blatt, who retired due to illness. Two weeks ago, he and Kestutis Kemzura made an amazing coup with a win over defending champion ZSKA Moscow (84-79). In addition to Printezis the second-best EuroLeague rebounder Milutinov and Spanoulis along with former NBA professional Brandon Paul (10.6 ppg) and compatriot Kevin Punter (8.6 ppg) also score reliably. The experienced Guard Taylor Rochestie (5.3 ppg) and Willie Reed (4.7) also contribute solid minutes.
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