Hezonia: “I wanted to stay at Panathinaikos, it seemed like I was the problem when the opposite was the case”

Mario Hezonia still says in every interview he gives since leaving Panathinaikos: He still wanted to wear the green jersey.

The Croatian striker gave a new interview – this time to website basketnews – and when the discussion turned again to his Panathinaikos exit and his attempts to reconnect, he pretty much repeated the same things.

“What I meant was that I didn’t want to come to OAKA as a rival. But if you’re a player… you can’t be honest like me because in the end it’s up to you.” Hezonia first explained, to add: “I was in a good mood. I rebooted mentally, physically, basketball and personally. And Panathinaikos was a great situation for me. I loved the time I spent there. I wanted to stay and play there. But in the end it looked like I was the problem, when the opposite was the case.”

In conclusion, Hezonia emphasized: “I said what I said about Panathinaikos and it turned against me. Yes, I didn’t want to come to OAKA as a player on another team. Those were my intentions. I had strong feelings and I meant it when I said I wanted to stay. But in the end it cost me.”

To conclude his interview, the Croatian was asked to comment on the major derbies by country in which he has participated in relation to the existing hatred and he particularly highlighted the games between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos: “Panathinaikos – Olympiacos is the first. Then there is no one left for ten rows. Next is Partizan – Red Star and third I would put Fenerbahce – Galatasaray. Real vs Barcelona looks like holidays. It’s more peaceful, but the atmosphere is beautiful.”