«The Greeks are able…»
The recent ugly events in Greece were also a topic at the Final Four Press Conference with Greek and foreign journalists asking from Panagiotis Giannakis to speak for something other than basketball being an authority figure. The coach of Olympiacos spoke about his country with hope and next he referred to the extremely difficult mission he and his players have to complete in Paris…
In the official Press Conference at the City Hall, Panagiotis Giannakis had Josh Childress by his side, while Jordi Bertomeu (Euroleague), Pasoutin – Langton (CSKA), Pascual – Rubio (Barcelona) and Vujosevic – Kecman (Partizan) also attended and addressed the event.
“It’s true that the things happening in our country make us sad. So, our goal is to show that the Greeks are able to make it. With hard work, clear head and faith, we can succeed. We are a country that needs goals, to make us patient and enthusiastic. Basketball has always been a means to motivate Greek society. We want to tell them that there is a great margin of skills and patience and through work we can achieve our goals. We have played well throughout the season, we have used the hardship we have met and we made it up to here. And now we want to make the people of Greece happy”, the Olympiacos coach pointed out, making next a mini account of his team’s presence in the competition: “It has been an exciting year. In Euroleague, there have been games and results that have made an impact. It’s a big deal to be for the second year in a row, among the four best teams, having, like we have, gone through difficult situations. These difficult situations however, have helped us prepare better, so that we come up with the answers to the difficulties we are going to encounter here. We have the quality to handle the situations and get the result we want in the game against Partizan”.
Panagiotis Giannakis was asked to turn back in time and remember his first Final Four as a player, when he faced Dusko Vujosevic as the Partizan coach: “What was happening at the team was shocking and urged thousands of kids to get involved with basketball, especially in my country. These are the fruits Greek basketball has been ripping ever since… Greek teams are protagonists, while the National Selection has also been very successful. The basketball we used to play then has nothing to do with today’s game. The players have improved a lot in the way they deal with the game. I believe that what comes next will be better both for Greek as well as European basketball”.
And for the end, the most usual question of the last weeks. That is, whether he prefers to win the Euroleague or the Greek Championship: “Winning the Euroleague is an absolute thrill and you have to keep in mind that by winning the Euroleague you have also learned how to win your next target, which is the Greek Championship!”
Josh Childress on his turn, having experienced last year’s Final Four, considers that things are going to be different this season: “The first lesson is that you have to make it to the end. We lost the semi final last year, but I have especially great expectations of me and my team. I hope we win”.
The American is obviously improved compared to last season and his selection among the Euroleague’s best ten players proves so: “This season has been easier for me. I felt very comfortable with my team mates. All these have positively affected my everyday life as well. I’m especially happy for having joined Olympiacos and been playing in Europe. I’m happy for everything we have achieved and I hope we continue this way”.
As for the motive he and his team mates are going to have: “You always have to be competitive in basketball. You always want to be the best. I want the same thing. You play against the best in a Final Four and you want to win. That’s my and my team’s motive”.