Olympiacos enters final with experimental lineup: Bartzokas insists no rush on transfer market

Olympiacos defeated Fenerbahce 82-77 in the semi-final of the Crete International Basketball Tournament, a friendly competition that coach Georgios Bartzokas praised for its high level. This victory not only secured a spot in the final against Armani Milano but also provided an opportunity for the Greek team to experiment with various tactical options amid the absence of several key players. Before the match, Bartzokas confirmed that his squad faced multiple personnel issues. Captain Kostas Papanikolaou remained in Athens and did not participate in the tournament. Meanwhile, Nikola Milutinov and Georgios Vezenkov, two important players in the tactical system, were confirmed available for the final. Jean Montero, a recent signing, will also play after overcoming jet lag issues. The absence of Papanikolaou and the return of Montero indicate that Bartzokas is using this tournament to build playing habits for his players, especially the newcomers. "We only had one practice session before this game," Bartzokas said in a press conference. "The important thing is to find our habits again. Games like this are the best thing for the team right now." His statement emphasizes a priority for tactical stability over perfect physical conditioning, a sign that Olympiacos is in a transitional phase between preparation and official competition. Tactical analysis shows that the team experimented with various lineups, especially at the center position when Milutinov and Vezenkov were absent. This flexibility could be key for the upcoming season but also carries risks regarding cohesion. Bartzokas acknowledged that the team made mistakes in the semi-final but winning spirit helped them overcome. "It was a tough game decided by the small details," he added. Regarding the transfer market, Bartzokas confirmed that Olympiacos has no plans to add reinforcements at this time. "We are not looking at the transfer market. We want to play as we are," he said. However, he also mentioned support from club presidents, who are always ready to act when Olympiacos needs. Last year, the team signed three players who significantly helped them win the EuroLeague, demonstrating flexibility in transfer strategy. Olympiacos' schedule in the coming period is very dense. After the Crete tournament, they will participate in the Greek Super Cup and European Super Cup, with 5 games in 7 days before the regular season begins at the end of September. This poses a major challenge for physical condition and recovery. Bartzokas emphasized that the team needs to be ready from now. The final against Armani Milano will be an important test for Olympiacos' tactical experiments. Although it is only a friendly, with its high level comparable to official games, it provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate the squad before the season. Montero's return and Papanikolaou's absence will be notable factors. Overall, Olympiacos is in a building and stabilizing phase. Bartzokas trusts the current squad but leaves room for intervention if needed. With a dense schedule and tactical experiments, the Greek team is preparing for an ambitious season. The question remains whether this stability will be enough to face upcoming challenges.