Του Γιάννη Ράμμα/ irammas@eurohoops.net
The Greek teams have written their own history in the Euroleague. Panathinaikos and Olympiacos have won the trophy 6+3 times since 1996 until today. Greek coaches are part of this legacy and you won’t find more successful than the two who will face each other in the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague quarterfinals.
Olympiacos will play against Fenerbahce on the floor and Giorgos Bartzokas will meet Dimitris Itoudis on the benches in a duel that no one asked for, but everyone wanted.
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS
Giorgos Bartzokas is in his fourth year in his second stint with Olympiakos (2012-14, 2019-present) and eleventh in his Euroleague career, in which he has coached five teams with a total record of 173-132 (56.7%).
- 2009-10 Maroussi | Top 16
- 2012-13 Olympiacos | 🏆
- 2013-14 Olympiacos | Playoffs
- 2015-16 Lokomotiv Kuban | 3rd place
- 2016-17 Barcelona | Regular season
- 2017-18 Khimki | Playoffs
- 2018-19 Khimki | Regular season
- 2019-20 Olympiacos | Season interrupted due to COVID
- 2020-21 Olympiacos | Regular season
- 2021-22 Olympiacos | 4th place
- 2022-23 Olympiacos | Playoffs (so far)
He is the first Greek coach to win the Euroleague back in 2013, leading Olympiakos’ to the second of their back-to-back triumphs (2012, 2013). This also happens to be the last time the “Red and Whites” were at the top of the league. The 58-year-old Athenian will try to add to their shared history. After all, he has reached the Final Four the most times in his career with Olympiacos, in 2013 and last year (4th place), while the third place with Lokomotiv Kuban came in between, back in 2016.
Although strict at times, he likes to give freedom to his players, many of whom remember him long after their collaboration. Malcolm Delaney, who played under him at Lokomotiv, remains the most telling example. Sasha Vezenkov could have already surpassed him, since under his guidance (Barcelona 2016-17, Olympiacos 2020-present) he is playing the best basketball of his career and being the favorite for the Season MVP award. However, actions precede statements in this stage of the season.