The ongoing search for Bartzukas and Ataman

Olympiacos beat Peristeriou in the quarter-finals of the OPAP Hellenic Cup, with Moses Wright once again confirming the credentials of an exceptional addition, but not stopping to deal with injury problems.

Nigel Williams-Goss has a tendency to make mistakes, he has a history since his first spell and a hamstring cramp left him on the ground after… just 42 seconds.

Naturally, the “red and white” will not risk the slightest, even if the final comes, that is, if they qualify at the expense of Prometheus. But the first evaluation, after the MRI he underwent, does not indicate a serious problem, so if the American feels better and Olympiacos advances to the final, we may see him on the field again.

Wright's presence is a new reality for doubles. Together with Petrusev they represent a completely new position in the 'red and white' frontline, which Bartzukas is slowly introducing (but also taking advantage of). The twins are now clear. Val starts with Peters, and Wright teams up with Petrusev. Somehow, Olympiacos looks equally strong at the high line and in the forty minutes of matches.

With Wright, in fact, providing extra energy and very good defense above the hoop, Piraeus added an element that they may have been missing, as they did not have a Turkish-American newcomer-style center.

The quartet seems to be working great, and Sekma now seems to have no place in the 12 and remains in the reserve, while the question is how the coaching staff will fit everyone in when Milutinov returns. But the answer was delayed because the Serbian is currently out of action due to the fracture that prompted him to undergo surgery. Overall, Olympiacos seems to be doing better than in the recent past, thanks to their wins, but also thanks to the recovery of players like Walkup and Papanikolaou.

Against Peristeri Bowen, Naz Mitro-Lung also played very well, in a special duel with his brother and another match that gives him minutes of participation and adaptation to the conditions of Olympiacos. Especially in domestic competitions, where even a foreigner from the region (Brazdeikis or McKissick) is absent, his role is pivotal and the expatriate international seems to respond slowly…

Prometheus is such a formidable opponent, he wants to fight Piraeus, pursuing every opportunity he has to eliminate them. He did not get tired much, as his task was very easy for Panionius and he would not surrender unconditionally. In return…

Veldosa knee

Williams Goss alarmed the “reds and whites” and at the same time Panathinaikos Actor was not asked to remain silent either. Veldosa saw his knee swell and was excluded from the roster for today's semi-final match. Ataman revitalized Balcirovski, without filling the gap left by the Argentine around the perimeter of the pitch.

Both teams have learned to live with their problems, chemistry to find solutions to absences while also adding unusual additions. We remind you that the first to make this step was Panathinaikos Actor, who, when Nan realized that he would not play in the NBA this year, made him a very tempting offer and brought him to OAKA.

Somehow – as happened with Olympiacos – his image has changed, and perhaps any plan that existed at the start of the season has also changed. Panathinaikos, waiting for Sluka's return, gave the baton to Nan, whose presence seems necessary for the 'Greens' attack to work well.

When Slokas is fully ready, he'll have to take the ball into his own hands, so he can do what he knows best. Basketball to create and direct the team, either passing to tall players, passing to players moving without the ball, or on the weak side to shoot free. This does not mean that the Public Accounting Organization does not do these things. However, with Nunn, in his five characters, we usually see the astonishing (and often effective) actions of the great American.

Ataman, of course, has the ability to adapt his team to the demands of each match. He is not dogmatic about the plan, he changes it easily, but he waits, or if you prefer, he demands that his players adapt appropriately. In pursuit of the result, Panathinaikos is moving steadily and getting what it wants, although the fatigue of its main players seems more evident in recent matches. Maybe because not a lot of help comes from the bench.

This is a very important issue. The landlord definitely needs some breathing room. As much as Antetokounmpo has consistently given him, the Frenchman comes out strong and cleans up games in the end. But even more important is the presence of Juancho Hernangomet. The Spaniard has the will, he tries eagerly mainly in defense, but he does not have the corresponding stability in attack, as a result of which Dinos Mitoglou also spends a lot of time on the floor.

Aris, coming off the epic surprise in the quarter-finals against PAOK, will try to generate energy on the ground, play in defense and take advantage of this fatigue that his opponents are suffering from, even though Panathinaikos Aktor is leading the defeat against the “yellow and black”. At OAKA, he'll be even more suspicious about what he's about to face…

Note: There was a reflection in Panionius about the crushing defeat at the hands of Prometheus. But the difference is very large, and what happened last year in the corresponding match with IEK cannot be repeated every year. It's just that the “Blue and Red” realize that even if they find themselves in the Stoiximan Basketball League, they will need a completely different roster, with correct and targeted selections in the pool of foreign players…

PS2: It's not over yet for the second Final Eight and we're wondering if it's worth continuing. mistake. We must give him many chances and even improve him, without fear but with determination. Just the idea and holding of the tournament is not enough. There are other things that we can see gradually becoming a reality. However, it is certain that no tournament is considered a celebration without the team colors on the stands. Banning team badges, scarves and flags makes no sense.