Coach Bartzokas confirms Montero will play in the final and insists the team is not looking at the transfer market

Olympiacos' performance in the Crete International Basketball Tournament has provided important signals about the team's readiness before the official season. After the semi-final victory over Fenerbahce 82-77, coach Georgios Bartzokas made several clear statements about the availability of key players, experimentation with rotations, and the club's stance on the transfer market. These comments are not only immediate reactions but also offer a deeper view of how Bartzokas manages the roster amid several absences due to injury, jet lag, or personal reasons. Regarding player availability, Bartzokas confirmed that Jean Montero will be ready for the final against Armani Milano after overcoming jet lag concerns from a long journey. Montero, a recent signing, has been cleared by the medical staff to play after completing his recovery process. Conversely, team captain Kostas Papanikolaou will remain in Athens and will not participate in the final for personal reasons, which the coach mentioned briefly but clearly. The two traditional big men, Nikola Milutinov and Georgios Vezenkov, despite resting in recent training sessions, have also been confirmed for the final lineup. Bartzokas also emphasized that, due to multiple absences, the coaching staff has been forced to experiment with new rotations in limited training sessions. According to him, each player usually has only one practice session to get accustomed to new combinations before stepping onto the court. Although no advanced metrics were provided, the coach stated the goal is "finding their habits" after absences. He believes that, despite limited preparation time, a winning spirit was evident in the semi-final when Olympiacos overcame Fenerbahce despite several mistakes. From a tactical perspective, Bartzokas described the semi-final as a "tough match decided in the details". He did not mention any specific systems or patterns, but stressed that resilience and team cohesion were decisive factors. This is also reflected in how he assessed personnel suitability: medium, because many starters are resting and newcomers have only had their first practice. Nevertheless, he believes that testing flexible combinations, especially the use of two big men or multi-position players, could yield unexpected advantages against Armani Milano. On the transfer market, Bartzokas gave a clear stance. He stated that the team "is not currently looking at the transfer market" and prefers to "play as we are". However, he also acknowledged that the club presidents are always ready to act when Olympiacos needs something, and referenced last season's three signings that helped the team win the EuroLeague. This message conveys the stability Bartzokas wants to convey: rather than seeking major changes, he wants to focus on optimizing existing resources. Regarding tournament background, Bartzokas said the Crete International Basketball Tournament is "the best thing for the team right now", although it is merely an exhibition. He argued that the competition level is comparable to an official game, allowing Olympiacos to test tactical and physical aspects before the Greek and European Super Cups, followed by a demanding stretch of five games in seven days before the regular season starts at the end of September. Bartzokas' comments also raise some implicit questions. The fact that each player had only one training session before the final may indicate that the coach prioritizes tactical familiarity over full physical conditioning. Additionally, the absence of traditional big men like Milutinov and Vezenkov opens the possibility of experimenting with lineups featuring two big men or pushing wings into the power forward spot to create surprise in both defense and offense. However, there are also points to watch. The lack of advanced data means claims about "winning spirit" or "habits" lack concrete evidence for evaluation. Moreover, reliance on experimenting with new rotations in a short time could lead to a lack of cohesion in execution, especially against an opponent like Armani Milano known for controlling games through tactical details. In summary, coach Georgios Bartzokas' remarks after the semi-final against Fenerbahce carry the hallmarks of stability, controlled experimentation, and a focus on current personnel. The confirmation of Jean Montero's availability, the clarification that Kostas Papanikolaou will be absent, and the readiness of Milutinov and Vezenkov paint a clear picture of the roster Olympiacos will field in the final. At the same time, the declaration that the team is not looking at the transfer market underscores a philosophy of stability, while reminding of the tight Super Cup schedule and the five-game-in-seven-day stretch as the next challenges before the regular season begins.