By Vangelis Ioannou/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos Piraeus big man Filip Petrusev has returned to action to add another weapon to the team’s deep frontline lineup. The many options that Reds coach Giorgos Bartzokas has should prove very useful in the EuroLeague playoff series against Barcelona, the Serbian forward/center agrees.
“I think that’s the advantage,” Petrusev told Eurohoops on the fact that his team includes such big man options as himself, Moustapha Fall, Nikola Milutinov and Moses Wright. “That we are so deep. We have a big roster with a lot of good players. I think this helps us keep the intensity for 40 minutes. And when we have so many good players we are confident that we are all together and we can trust the next guy.”
Petrusev knows that he and his Olympiacos teammates have to prove their mettle away from home once again since they need at least one victory at Barcelona to make the Final Four.
“Everybody is ready,” Petrusev mentioned. “Everybody is waiting for this. It will be really hard. It’s going to be a big challenge to win on the road and make a break. But if we want to win the EuroLeague we have to win on the road.”
Due to a right knee injury, Petrusev missed the last stretch of the EuroLeague regular season. He’s now eager to make a strong comeback.
“I was practicing for one week or so with the team,” Petrusev said. “Obviously, it’ll be different when the games come. I was a little stiff in the beginning. After that I felt better. Game by game I will be getting to the shape I was before the injury.