By Nikos Varlas-Lefteris Moutis/ info@eurohoops.net
Coach Xavi Pascual didn’t turn down a one-on-one talk with Eurohoops just before Barcelona’s practice on Monday in SEF (Stadium of Peace and Friendship, home court of Olympiacos). And despite the pressure of a playoffs series, Pascual was relaxed, smiling and pretty clear with his answers.
He expects a break from his team, he considers Olympiacos the best Euroleague team on a mental level and, when asked about politics, he admits that he has an issue even talking about basketball!
What does he have to say about the fact that Barcelona never lost in SEF during the last decade, has 9/12 wins on the road this year and in the past, during four playoffs series, when a break was needed, it was achieved on three occasions?
“Τhose numbers have to do with the past! What counts at this point is the future we want to achieve, which is what we’ve also done in the past. To have a good game and get the win on the road.”
Barcelona is, if not the best, one of the best and most efficient teams in the Euroleague on 5 on 5 situations. They constantly create miss-matches, they’re taller than Olympiacos and because of the offensive rebounds, have more possessions than Olympiacos. Still, in Game 2 Barcelona couldn’t take advantage of those data. Will they be able to do it in Game 3?
“In the first game we managed to use those advantages. But in Game 2 Olympiacos was better than us in the half court game. We didn’t shoot well from the field and our opponent made many long range shots.
Τhe most important thing in crucial games is for a team to control their emotions. I believe that Olympiacos (ed. note: and not Panathinaikos as he said by mistake!) in this mental part of the game is the best team in Europe. They know very well how to do that.”
Olympiacos and Barcelona are the only teams in the Euroleague that have never missed the playoffs in the last 10 seasons. Does coach Pascual consider the fact that one of them will not be in the Final Four kind of unfair?
“That’s the Euroleague! When the playoffs were decided, I said that Olympiacos and we are among the best five teams in Europe. We knew from the start than only one of us would be in the final four, the fans of our teams and of basketball in general knew that too.”
However, coach Pascual’s best answer was given without him giving an answer! We asked for a comment about the political situation in Spain and Greece, a burning matter for the public opinion in both countries, especially after the Greek elections and the new Greek government.
“Do you belive that the situation in Greece and the new government can help in a positive way Europe and especially Spain, or not?”
“I don’t talk about politics. I have a problem even talking about basketball,” he said in English with a smile, and of course everyone laughed!