Olympiacos Land in Crete: Jan Montero Steals the Spotlight, Milutinov's Return Eases 'Alarm'

Nikos Kazantzakis airport had never been so loud on an early September day. The Cretan fans had been waiting since dawn, and when the red-and-white bus of Olympiacos rolled into the parking lot, the chants grew relentless. It wasn't head coach Giorgos Bartzokas, nor the veteran core, but Jan Montero – the most anticipated newcomer – who drew the most attention. He stepped off, signing autographs continuously, and his confident smile seemed to signal a season where Olympiacos doesn't intend to settle for the runner-up spot again. The context of this trip is not merely a preseason friendly. The Crete IBT Tournament brings together four major European clubs: Olympiacos, Fenerbahçe, Red Star Belgrade, and Armani Milano. In the very first semifinal, Olympiacos will face Fenerbahçe – an opponent that always knows how to create uncomfortable challenges. With the No. 2 spot in the Euroleague summer power rankings, Bartzokas' team carries the pressure to prove that reputation is not an illusion. The key point of this tournament lies in Olympiacos' ability to experiment with lineups, especially how they integrate Jan Montero into an already well-oiled tactical system. Montero is not the type of player who comes to be a supporting piece; he arrives to be the center of attention and take responsibility for creating sparks. His statement upon landing in Crete – 'Olympiacos is a challenge and I like challenges' – shows a ready mindset. But the big question is: is that readiness enough to compensate for the unproven integration period? Numbers don't lie – only sources know how to embellish. I don't look at the future; I read the past faster than others. And the past of highly-touted newcomers at Olympiacos shows they often need at least 10 official matches to find common ground. Meanwhile, the Nikola Milutinov story has a happy ending. Initially, there was an 'alarm' about the Serbian center's physical condition when he left with a displeased look. But according to a source close to the medical staff, Milutinov has returned to training and is ready to play. This is a crucial signal: Milutinov's return helps Olympiacos maintain strength in the paint, an area where they faced many issues in key stretches of last season. The combination of an experienced center like Milutinov and an energetic newcomer like Montero could be the formula for an explosive season. However, there's a blind spot few mention: the enthusiasm of Cretan fans could create an invisible pressure. When you're welcomed like heroes right at the airport, all eyes are on you, and if results don't meet expectations, the disappointment will be even greater. The team needs to manage this emotion, turning support into motivation rather than a burden. In a short tournament, experimenting with lineups could cost them points against Fenerbahçe, and if that happens, a wave of criticism will quickly surface. Looking further, this tournament is an opportunity for Olympiacos to send a message to the rest of the Euroleague. A win over Fenerbahçe would solidify their contender status. But even if they lose, it's still a necessary test to identify weaknesses before the official season begins. Watch how the team handles difficult situations on the court, how they move the ball under pressure, and how Montero finds space when tightly guarded. Those small details will tell the real story of the team's strength, not the praise from the stands. A defaulted contract tells more than a hat-trick, but a preseason loss can also tell more than an easy group-stage win. For Olympiacos, Crete is where they build confidence, and I'll be following their every step on this journey.