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Oly struggled in both head-to-head games against AEK this season

The team from Athens suffered only two defeats by double digits this season, none in the Greek championship and none since Zdovc arrived. Olympiacos are the favorites, but they are not expecting an easy game

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After they failed to reach the Euroleague quarter-final, and they were eliminated from the Cup early in the season, the championship has become priority for Olympiacos and a chance to save the season. Anything but the title would be a complete failure after they won the title last year and they reached the finale of the Euroleague. 

Rethymno were not a big obstacle in the quarter-final, Olympiacos easily advanced after two games. The final victory by four points at Crete can be deceiving, but Oly lost the final quarter 24-11 and allowed Rethymno to improve their impression. 

They won that series without Printezis' help, but he is back in training and he should be ready for the crucial part of the championship. AEK provided great resistance in both championship games against Olympiacos, they were close to winning in Athens, and Olympiacos' team are cautious. 

- AEK are a great team, they made our job more difficult over the season. We expect a very difficult series. They played under pressure against PAOK and I am sure they will be better now - said Papapetrou and added:

- The key thing will be approaching every game separately, and forgetting what happened before. We will need good preparation and regeneration. 

AEK are the only team that earned the semi-final through three games. First they lost at home to PAOK which was a big blow to them, but Zdovc0s team demonstrated character and won the next two games in which they limited PAOK to 59 and 54 points. Even though they were also limited under 70 points, AEK earned the semi-final through defense, deservedly, considering everything they showed this season. 

- We struggled to find out pace, but we played a good defense and did what we played to do. I am pleased, but we are turning toward the games against Olympiacos - said Zdovc.

The Slovenian expert had a goal since he arrived to Greece, and that was to reduce the lead the two untouchable clubs had. AEK lost all their head-to-heads against Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, but all under 10 point difference, and they had a chance in all those games. And they haven't lost a single game in the championship by over nine points. If we look at the Eurocup, only Galatasaray defeated them by double digit numbers, but that was before Zdovc. 

- I believe we can defeat them in the best-of-five series. Confidence is crucial. I cannot see a big difference between us, the pressure is on them, and we can play more freely. We will do anything to surprise them, it won't be easy, but we will try. 

The good thing for Zdovc is that he can count on his complete roster.

- We worked well over the week. We know that Olympiacos are dangerous at home and they will try to solve this game with a strong defense and fast counterattacks. We worked on our patience in the game, pace control - said AEK's coach.

The path to success in Athens leads through the rock solid defense, at the level of the one with which they defeated PAOK in the last two games.