Bartziokas Praises Walker for Olympiacos's Defeat of Fenerbahce

Olympiacos head coach Georgios Bartziokas lauded Thomas Walker for his crucial contribution to the team's 79-61 victory over Fenerbahce in the Euroleague semifinal on May 22, 2026.

Walker's Defensive Leadership

"Thomas set the tone in defense. When you see the playmaker sacrificing himself in every possession against the ball handler, it motivates the whole team," Bartziokas said post-match.

However, Bartziokas also stressed that the success was a result of collective efforts. "I can't praise Thomas alone. Our team defense was at a high level throughout the 40 minutes. From the beginning, everyone was ready to respond to everything Fenerbahce tried to do," he added.

Controlling the Game

Bartziokas noted that Olympiacos restricted the opposition near the basket, which helped the team build confidence and control the game until the end. "When you stop your opponent this way, confidence comes naturally," the coach emphasized.

Gosho Methodiev