“Barzoukas trusts me a lot. There will be a war in Oaka with Panathinaikos.”

The killer always returns to the crime scene and Nigel Williams Goss returns to Olympiacos because he left open cases.

The 29-year-old guard left early in his first time playing in the SEF, paying a buyout to move to Utah and play in the NBA. However, he only made 10 appearances there. Naturally, he does not regret a moment about his decision and the turn his career has taken, as he told SPORT24 after introducing the new appearance of the red and white team in SEF.

The European League champions with Real Madrid also spoke about the factors that made Olympiacos an attractive destination for him this summer, and praised Giorgos Barzoukas, while also commenting on the upcoming derby with Panathinaikos in the Europa League premiere.

First of all, how do you feel after the injury problem you had?

“I feel better. It was great to play in Cyprus. I trained a bit so it was good to get on the field. I feel better day by day.”

This is your second term at Olympiacos. Do you regret leaving so quickly the first time to pursue an NBA opportunity, based on how things turned out?

“Not at all. I have great faith in God and I believe He is guiding me along the way. I am very fortunate to be where I am today. I would not be here now if I had not taken all these steps. “It has been my dream to be in the NBA. It feels great that I did this. And now I’m back (to Olympiacos).”

You signed for Olympiacos so early in the summer that you even parted ways with your money, if I’m not mistaken. It means you really wanted to be on the team. What interested you most?

“It was the whole homecoming package. I came to a place I knew. Now things are different. I have a wife and a son, and my daughter is coming. It’s not about my life anymore. So I thought, it was a good choice for the whole family.”

Coach Bartzukas tried to sign me two years ago, before I went to Real Madrid, and the fact that he approached me again for the second time says a lot.

This made me feel very comfortable. Of course (ss. played a role) and the success the team has had in the last two years. Leaving the team that won the EuroLeague, Real Madrid, the next best option was Olympiacos. It is one of the greatest clubs. It was something I wanted to do (p.s. to get back).”

Over the years, she has adapted to different roles. For example, when you played for Partizan or Lokomotiv Kuban, you scored much more goals than during your time at Real Madrid. What will your role be this year? What did Coach Bartzukas ask you to do?

“It shows the different sides of my game and my ability to understand what the team needs from me. Every team is different and every game is different. I can understand that. In some games I will score more, in others I will act more.” As a facilitator or as a defender. For me, it’s all about trying to win. I don’t care if it comes one way or another. The end result is all that matters.

I hope I can do my best to help us win many matches. But I know that the coach has a lot of confidence in me.”

A few months ago, I was on the winning team in the Euroleague Final. Olympiacos reached the Final Four twice in a row, but was unable to capture the trophy. Do you think it’s possible for him to be there for the third time in a row and be lucky this time?

“Of course it’s possible, with the system he runs the team and the way Bartzukas coaches. It’s no coincidence that he’s been named Euroleague Coach of the Year twice, he’s a great coach and a great team.

Possibly yes, although the Euroleague will be more competitive than ever and there are many teams fighting for the same goal. We have to be ready to work all season long, endure the tough times and get back to the Final Four.”

It’s very early, but is there a more dangerous team in your view?

“To be honest, I feel like all the teams have improved. Looking at the Europa League, everyone has kept their core, and a lot of players have renewed their contracts, so I think all the teams will have a little better chemistry and more talent. “I feel like all the teams have stepped up. “It will be a very competitive year, but fun at the same time.”

What transfer surprised you the most?

“Not necessarily. I know everyone talks about players who come through the NBA, but there are only 30 teams and a few spots on the roster. At the end of the day, everyone is looking for something different.”

There are those who want to come to Europe to have a bigger role and play more. Sometimes the money can be better here. Either scenario can apply. I think we’ll see more and more of that from now on. “The level is so good that the players want to come here and take advantage of this opportunity.”

Olympiacos’ Europa League season begins with a derby match against Panathinaikos. I’m sure your new teammates have already told you that. What do you expect from this match?

“It will definitely be a war, especially when we play away in Ouaka, the first match. There are new elements in our roster and we are still trying to find each other. A derby is a derby. Obviously you want to win every time.” Step on the floor.

But in the final, it is simply the first game of the season. “Obviously we want to win, but our goals are titles and we won’t be able to win them in the first match, so we’ll see.”