Barça v Olympiacos: First two clashes at the Palau

No room for mistakes now for the Barça basketball team as they take on Greek side Olympiacos in the Final Four of the Euroleague. The first two games of the tie come at the Palau Blaugrana with the first on Wednesday, tip off at 9pm CEST with the second on Friday starting at the same time. 

Olympiacos, coached by former Barça boss Georgios Bartzokas, are without another former blaurgana in Kostas Papanikolaou who is missing due to illness. Barça have the home advantage in the tie after recording their best ever home record in the regular season with 15 wins and just two defeats in the Euroleague as they battle for a place in the Final Four to be played in Berlin this year. 

Grimau: "I hope the Palau proves to be decisive"

Roger Grimau focused on the importance of home field advantage in the tie in his pre-game press conference: "I hope the Palau factor proves to be decisive in the tie. We have been comfortable at home during the season and we have a great record which has deservedly given us this advantage." 

In Barça's way stand Greek side Olympiacos. "Defensively they are very solid on five v five. They have physical players and they work well in the paint and don't allow you easy points. On offense they are the team that passes best and they are dynamic, as well as having patience to wait and find the best option," added Grimau. 

Hernangómez: "They will be tough, physical matches" 

Barça's Willy Hernangómez is under no illusions about the task facing himself and his team mates. "They will be tough, physical matches. They have great players on the inside and they are very aggressive," he said in his pre-game press appearance. 

Despite having won both matches against Olympiacos in the regular season, the Barça centre is careful not to be over confident. "We should not focus on the regular season, especially give Olympiacos have grown a lot since the. We can't think that because we have beaten them it will be easy," concluded Hernangómez.

Finally, following the example of his coach, the man from Madrid highlighted the vital role of the Palau: "The Palau is not just a key factor in his tie, it has been all season. The fans have supported us in every game and I have been amazed how you can feel them on the court. Now, more than ever, they will be with us."