Livio Jean-Charles (Olympiakos) on the series against Monaco: “Something I have never seen and may never see again”
A few days before the Euroleague Final Four, gazzetta spoke with the interior of Olympiakos, Livio Jean-Charles (2.06 m, 28 years old).
He is notably asked when he felt that this season could be one of renewal for the Greek team.
“When Mous (Moustapha Fall) came to Olympiakos and we were doing well at the start of the season, I told him that I thought we were winning all three trophies this year. Then I started having less playing time to participate and he asked me if I still believed the same. I said, “Yes, I still believe we’re going to win all three titles. And if I sacrifice my playing time this season, it’s because what matters in the end is how we lift each of the three trophies we want to have. »
For the Guyanese, the strength of Olympiakos is the multiplicity of talents:
“The good thing about our team is that no two players can do exactly the same thing. We are all different and we try to bring that to team play and that makes us so good. That’s what I feel. Obviously, we are also consistent in our performance this year. And I would say that we have a “magic”. We have Sloukas, Sasha (Vezenkov), Mous who can make a difference at any time. Everyone has their game throughout the season, when the team needs it and that’s what makes us a great team. »
About Efes, Olympiakos’ opponent in the semi-finals, the former Villeurbannais explains:
“I think when you reach a Final 4, it doesn’t matter who you play against, the sure thing is that they will have a good team. If you look at Real Madrid, Barcelona… they have talent too. Of course, Efes is also talent. We also have talent and we believe a lot in our team. It’s the only one that matters because at the end of the day, it’s just one game. Because qualifying for the final is not only decided on talent or what we have done all season, but on whether we will be good when it comes to the semi-final. If we seize the moment…we won’t have a problem. »
He also looks back on the quarter-final against AS Monaco. An unforgettable moment.
“In France, you will never see 15,000 or 20,000 fans around a basketball court. What I experienced in the 5th match against Monaco at the Stade de la Paix et de l’Amitié is something I have never seen and may never see again. It was the craziest thing that ever happened to me. As a player, I think that’s why I started playing basketball. Before the money, before the joy of fighting, above all. I imagined from a very young age playing in front of such an audience. »
Photo: Euroleague