Olympiacos: Preseason Clash with Fenerbahce in Crete – The First Big Test of the Season

Crete, the sun-soaked Greek island, is becoming the center of European basketball this week. Olympiacos, the reigning EuroLeague runners-up, face Fenerbahce in the IBT Euroleague Tournament. But this is not just a routine friendly – it is the first signal of how head coach Giorgos Bartzokas is reshaping a roster that has undergone significant summer turnover.

Just two days before the game, the full Olympiacos squad had only just assembled. Jean Montero, the promising 21-year-old newcomer, had just arrived in Crete with the international players. Meanwhile, Kostas Papanikolaou – the defensive anchor and soul of the team – could not play due to an injury sustained with the national team. This is a significant loss, but also an opportunity for Bartzokas to see alternative options.

For me, after nearly two decades of following elite basketball, preseason friendlies always carry a special meaning. They don't reflect a team's true strength, but they show how a coach thinks. Bartzokas is known for meticulous preparation – choosing to face Fenerbahce this early is no coincidence. It is a statement: Olympiacos fears no opponent, and they want to test themselves against one of Europe's best.

Tactically, this game offers important signals. Olympiacos under Bartzokas always emphasizes defensive discipline and smooth half-court offense. This system has been proven through two consecutive Final Four appearances (2026, 2026) and a runner-up finish in 2026. However, the biggest question this season is: can the newcomers quickly absorb Bartzokas's philosophy?

Jean Montero is an intriguing variable. Born in 2026, he was highly rated before the 2026 NBA Draft but went undrafted. After a season at Real Madrid and an explosive season at Granada (ACB) with around 15-16 points per game, Montero moved to Olympiacos with a desire to prove his worth. "Olympiacos is a challenge and I like challenges," he shared. But in Bartzokas's system, scoring is not everything – defensive discipline and tactical adherence are prerequisites.

Montero's integration will be the key determinant of Olympiacos's EuroLeague title ambitions this season. He possesses rare creativity and speed, but can he accept a smaller role compared to his Granada days – where he was the center of every play – to serve the collective? This is the puzzle Bartzokas needs to solve in the coming weeks.

The departure of Giannoulis Larentzakis to AEK is also noteworthy. At 31, Larentzakis was no longer in Olympiacos's long-term plans. This is a strategic decision: freeing up salary and opening opportunities for younger players. But it also means Olympiacos loses an experienced guard/wing – a position where injuries are most common. If Montero or Naz Mitrou-Long fail to meet expectations, the team could struggle in this area.

Another hot topic is the public debate from former Serbian star Miodrag Tzirovic about Andrew Miller-McIntyre's role. Tzirovic criticized Miller-McIntyre's performances and implicitly praised Francisco – a signal that the point guard position is a contentious topic. Media pressure can affect Miller-McIntyre's mentality, and Bartzokas needs to clarify the role hierarchy soon.

On the broader context, this season sees the rise of Greek basketball. Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are ranked 1-2 in summer power rankings – a significant shift from the Spanish and Turkish club dominance of previous decades. This creates a compelling narrative for the whole season, but also places significant psychological pressure on both Greek clubs.

The Crete game is just the beginning. On September 18, Olympiacos will face Fenerbahce again in the Abu Dhabi Super Cup semi-final – a new tournament established by EuroLeague, marking the league's expansion into the Gulf market. Scheduling two consecutive matchups within less than two weeks is a deliberate arrangement, creating an early dramatic showdown between two title contenders.

From a governance perspective, the creation of the Abu Dhabi Super Cup is an important strategic signal. EuroLeague is expanding its reach to the Persian Gulf region, which has huge potential for broadcast and sponsorship. This could be a precursor to official games in the region in the future, reshaping the competitive and commercial landscape of the league.

Papanikolaou's injury also raises a larger structural issue: the conflict between national team and club schedules. At 34, Papanikolaou's recovery is slower than before, and if the injury lingers, Olympiacos will lose one of its most important defensive pillars. Bartzokas needs contingency plans, and these friendlies are opportunities to experiment.

Another interesting detail is young player Karagiannis's statement: "I want to try, to see if I can or not." This is a positive signal from the locker room – healthy internal competition is taking place. Young players like Karagiannis will have chances to shine when key players are absent, and this could produce pleasant surprises.

Financially, EuroLeague has no salary cap like the NBA, but applies FFP regulations. Olympiacos is among the highest-budget clubs in the league, and financial stability is a major advantage. Letting Larentzakis go is a smart cost optimization, but it remains to be seen whether the club will add more personnel before the market closes.

Looking back at the Crete game, I don't expect a perfect performance. What I want to see is how Montero moves within Bartzokas's defensive system, how Mitrou-Long controls the pace, and how young players react to the pressure of facing a top European opponent. Those are more important signals than any scoreline.

The summer has no rolling ball, but I can clearly hear the echo of unpaid wages – and in this case, it is the debt of expectations that Olympiacos owes to its fans. They are accustomed to seeing their team go deep in the EuroLeague, and this season is no exception. But the road to Belgrade (host of the 2026 Final Four) will not be easy.

The games against Fenerbahce in Crete and then Abu Dhabi will be the first tests. Bartzokas knows that winning friendlies brings no trophies, but they help him see how the pieces are coming together. And with a roster as changed as Olympiacos's, finding chemistry as early as possible is a prerequisite for realizing the championship dream.

People call it a slip; I call it where I begin to stand firm. Olympiacos is facing a challenging season, but also one full of opportunities. With a dedicated coach, a deep roster, and a solid financial foundation, they have every reason to believe this could be their season.