Saša Vezenkov arrives in Athens as the leader of Olimpiakos, the EuroLeague MVP, and the man Pireas fans expect to guide their team to the European championship. Despite the importance of the Final Four, the Serbian player appears calm and collected, without the pomp and pressure that typically surround the biggest weekend in European basketball.

In a conversation with Eurohoops, Vezenkov clearly stated that he is not impressed by the tough and aggressive defense of Fenerbahçe, their semi-final opponent. He believes his team knows how to respond to the Turkish team, recalling that during the regular season, he found ways to break through Istanbul's defensive walls.

"This season, I averaged 24 points in two games against them. Three years ago, they had a different coach and a different defensive strategy. Şarik now enforces something completely different; it's clear to see his tactics and how he thinks about opposing guards. Still, at the Final Four, it's not about individual battles but about how you fight as a team and stay together during difficult moments."

Olimpiakos arrives with a powerful roster of 18 players, including the NBA veterans Kori Joseph and Monte Morris, who have integrated well into the team. Vezenkov emphasizes that these players did not need any special introductory sessions.

Vezenkov also commented on his new MVP title. "If you start doing things you wouldn't normally do and force yourself to bear extra pressure, you only disrupt your own nervous system. There's no need for that. You just do what you've been doing all year and step onto the court."

The final tournament takes place in the legendary "OAKA" Arena.

"The fact that there's no home team changes the dynamics in the stands, but it doesn't matter to us. We must focus exclusively on Fenerbahçe. If we don't get past Fenerbahçe, the rest of the week and the finals don't exist for us. Who our opponent will be in the trophy battle is completely irrelevant to think about right now."

The wing center also recalled the early-season crisis.

"Fans wanted a powerful start, which we couldn't deliver. We had a few bad games, but then we sat down, talked, raised our work level, and the arrival of new players brought us the necessary freshness. Chemistry builds through victories. Triumphs give you a calm working environment and space to correct mistakes in the right atmosphere. I think this year, even in Greece, fans have finally understood that you shouldn't mourn after every loss due to the tight game schedule; the line is drawn at the very end."

(Telegraf.rs)