Today in the afternoon Panathinaikos has come to Moscow. After the accommodation in the hotel players had a time for a rest. In the evening they came to the USH CSKA for the 1,5 hour-practice.
Before it the head coach of the Athens club Zelimir Obradovic agreed to answer several questions. He told that his team has come to Moscow in the full squad. 12 players came for the game against CSKA. They are: Fragiskos Alvertis, Giorgios Kalaitzis, Dimitris Papanikolaou, Jaka Lakovic, Michael Batiste, ex-CSKA player Nikolaos Hatzivrettas, Darryl Middleton, Costas Tsartsaris, Yiannis Gagaloudis, Arriel Rene McDonald, Dusan Sakota and ex-Dynamo Moscow player Haris Mujezinovic.
Which teams from our group can participate to the TOP-16?
- For sure, two teams which are the best in Europe now. There are CSKA and Maccabi. Skipper also has many possibilities to move to the next round. Other teams who can do it: Zalgiris, Siena and Panathinaikos. Of course, we have more games and everything is open.
Who are the most dangerous players in CSKA?
- CSKA have many good players and, for sure, excellent coach. They play like team and this is their power. Not one or two players. It is very good team.
Which CSKA players would you like to see in your team?
- It is difficult to say. I have my team and I like it. It is difficult to answer, because CSKA has many very good players.
What do you need to defeat CSKA?
- Tomorrow it will be very difficult game for us. We have to play very good for all 40 minutes. We must be concentrated before the game and try to keep it to all the game.
Which teams can participate to the Final Four?
- I see three really big favorites now: CSKA, Maccabi and Barcelona. Another teams have possibilities. I didn’t see yet now how Pamesa Valencia or Benetton or Efes Pilsen are playing. There are also very good teams. In TOP-16 everybody has its possibilities for the Final Four.
How did you like Moscow?
- Moscow is an excellent city, I like it very much. I was here many times in last ten years. I’m very happy to return here, I have many friends in Moscow. It is metropolis, one of the best cities in Europe.
Nikos Hatzivrettas was very glad to see his ex-teammates and coach staff of CSKA. After greetings he also agreed to answer several questions for our site:
How do you like to return to Moscow?
- There very good feelings. I have very good time here last year. I’m very glad to come here again and to see my old friends. Everything is nice.
Are you continuing to communicate with Papaloukas or some other CSKA players?
- Yes. Sometimes we talk by the phone.
How do you like to play in Panathinaikos?
- It is very good team. We didn’t start well, but I think that now we became into the better shape. I hope to have a good year here.
Whom of CSKA players would you like to see in your team?
- I like my teammates now. I know that all CSKA players are very good guys but we are different teams.
Which teams could participate into the Final Four?
- I think that CSKA is one of the main favorites. But there many games left and everything is possible. After TOP-16 it is going to be clear.
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