A few hours before Aris’s departure to France, where they will play Le Mans (Tuesday 09/03, 21:30) for Game 6 of the Eurocup “Last 16”, David Blatt told the Press that his players’ minds are set on the victory, which will secure them the top spot in Group I.

“It’s a special situation. We will go to France with a lot to play for. Finishing in the first spot of the group is very important for us. We must remember what happened in the first game against Le Mans and how they beat us in the end. They are leading the French League, they have a well-coached and talented team, so it’s going to be a tough game for us regardless of the situation in the group. Le Mans players are going to want to play this game, to put agood performance in front of their own crowd and finish the competition in a good way”, mr. Blatt said.

The American-Israeli coach wrapped it up with a comment on his team’s progress and injury problems: “We’re playing good basketball lately, but that guarantees us nothing. We’ve got to prove ourselves in every game. We’re facing a lot of injuries right now and I’m worried about them, so we must show the heart and spirit to overcome that”.

Dimos Dikoudis also spoke about the forthcoming game: “Although Le Mans is in the last spot of the group, it still is a very good team. They proved that in the first round, when they beat us here in Thessaloniki. We will try to do the same and beat them at their home, in order to secure the first spot in the group, which will be very important for the quarterfinal playoffs. Our opponents will be free of any kind of pressure, though, so we must try extra hard”.