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The assistant coach of Ergin Ataman, Vassilis Simczak, spoke on the Euroleague On Fire show after the victory of Panathinaikos AKTOR at the home of Virtus Bologna and he spoke about the role of Panagiotis Kalaitzakis and the depth of the “green” roster.
Panathinaikos AKTOR got an important victory at the home of Virtus Bologna for the 10th matchday of the EuroLeague and remained on top track.
Vassilis Simczak, a member of the “green” coaching staff, spoke on SPORT24’s show, Euroleague On Fire, immediately after the game – from OAKA – analyzing the victory of Panathinaikos AKTOR, but also the keys to the match, making special reference to Jerian Grant and Panagiotis Kalaitzakis.
Vassilis Simchak stated in detail:
For the match with Virtus: “It was a very important victory for us, a very difficult game. Both teams were very competitive. I think the game was decided at the end with the presence of Kalaitzakis and Grant in defense. They helped a lot. Grant also scored a very big three-pointer that we needed and that’s what gave us the victory in the end”.
For the rhythm of Virtus that drifted to a slower tempo: “Exactly. We had to open up the pace of the game a bit. Virtus is a team with experienced children, a little advanced in age. We got a little hypnotized, I might say, and relaxed, because we had a really good three-point percentage in the second quarter.
To tell the truth, in the third quarter all the shots were free, they were very good choices, they didn’t go in and Virtus got back into the game”.
For the match with Zalgiris that follows: “Another very difficult away game. Zalgiris is coming off a two-game losing streak. Difficult headquarters. We have before us the game against Kolossos on Sunday and from then on we have 4-5 days to properly prepare for that match”.
For the fact that Kalaitzakis reminded Mitoglou from the match with Red Star even though he played in the final and how the “green” players can play an important role in such victories: “Look, it’s not easy. But Panagiotis has accepted his role and that is what makes him useful to the team. When he comes in, the energy he gives to the defense, he gives a big boost to the whole team. He did the same today.
Dinos (s.s. Mitoglou) did the same in Belgrade. He was on the bench for 35 minutes, but he came in and with two very good defenses, an offensive rebound and a big three-pointer gave us the victory. It is the blessing of the big roster these phases, that even in critical parts of the game you can bring from the depth of the bench guys who are ready and can help”.
On how Virtus managed to stay in the game despite not having the same quality on the roster as Panathinaikos AKTOR: “I think there are two elements. The first is that we created very good phases in the 3rd quarter, many free shots that we didn’t score and that weighed on us psychologically.
I think we were also confused by the formation with Sengelia at 5. Because Lessor was forced to come out a bit and the lanes were opened up for the Virtus players. I think these two elements are what kept Virtus in the game.
What I will say helped us too – from my side that saw it – was not using Zizic in the second half.
I think that the formation with Sengelia at 5 and that while we made very good choices in the attack in the 3rd period, unfortunately the free shots didn’t go in”.
Watch the full show, with Vassilis Simczak appearing at the start:
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