Giannakopoulos: ‘If we base everything on what has been said every summer for the last 15 years, Olympiacos should be doubles every year’

THE Dimitris Giannakopoulos was one of the speakers at the press conference for the 4th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament, which will be held on September 23rd and 24th at OAKA.

The KAE Panathinaikos owner was asked about the Panathinaikos squad and in his reply he stated: “Summer is not the right time to judge the season. If we were to base it on what has been said in the summer for the last 15 years, Olympiacos should be the double in basketball every year and Panathinaikos should be the team facing problems.

The right time to draw conclusions is when the teams have spent time together, practiced and played and judged throughout the year. What I’m saying now is the opinion of a person who watches transfers. The ingredients may or may not be good. You go through the cook and everything will be on the floor“.

Triphyllum’s head of administration also spoke about the delays in converting OAKA into a greenhouse, saying: “If I remember correctly, the law was passed on May 19th. We made some plans that the stadium will be green and there will be suites, but there have been delays and setbacks. We still have to wait a bit until Panathinaikos has the stadium it deserves“.

He was even asked to comment on the change in EuroLeague presidency and replied: “pusually changes are made for the best. Dejan Bodiroga has made history both as an athlete and for his morale. I hope he does as a factor too. In practice, however, we will see whether it will go down in history. The bar has not been set high by those who left it, so it will not be difficult to overcome. We have to support the young people and they should support us to have a better product than what we have had for the last 20 years“.

When not asked about the possibility of a transfer backing, he referred to the Panathinaikos coach sitting next to him.

Finally, in his first statement, Dimitris Giannakopoulos had said:It’s the fourth year the tournament has been held so we can say it’s an institution now. Besides being able for teams to see where they stand and get smells from their opponents, it’s an opportunity for the young to learn and for the old to remember what Pavlos Giannakopoulos brought to basketball.

I hope there will be nice games, that conclusions will be drawn. Sport does not connect and separate. I hope everyone stays injury free this year. A lot has changed in European basketball and the best is yet to come. After two years of Covid where part of the world couldn’t come to the stadium the imbalance has been restored and anyone can come now. I hope the tournament is well attended to see another try. I hope that in this endeavor there will be the power of time and the grandstand“.

By the way, the trainer of Triphyllio, Dejan Radoniccommented: “EIt is a great honor for me to take part in a tournament like this in memory of a basketball player. It’s an opportunity to play against very good EuroLeague teams. We’re not ready yet, but the tournament will help us improve. There are reinforcement movements in the market, there are rumors about some players, but since there is nothing certain, I cannot answer specifically“.

THE Ergin Ataman he said: “EIt is a great honor for us to take part in this tournament for the second time. We have a lot of respect for this man who gave everything for Greek and European basketball. Every time I came here I saw the headlines of that time and it filled me with emotions“.

THE Odent katas in turn commented: “It’s a high-level tournament and we’re happy to be in the middle of a demanding and difficult pre-season. We’ve prepared a team from scratch and against very good teams in Europe we’ll see where we stand. Personally, I am excited and moved every time I come to OAKA. I awake touching memories. I was also a member of one of the groups that Pavlos was so proud of“.

THE George Papagiannisthe leader of Panathinaikos pointed out: “it is mgreat honor for all athletes participating in this great tournament, in memory of a man who gave everything. Thanks to all the teams, it’s a strong test for me to see our skills before the start of the season It was a childhood dream to be captain of the Panathinaikos, but at the same time it comes with a lot of responsibility. Last season didn’t go as we would have liked and this year we want to do much better and win as many titles as possible“.

THE Nicholas Meli argues: “As team captain I would like to say that we are very proud because it is one of the most important tournaments in Europe. It’s a privilege to be invited. It will be the first opportunity to all be together before the start of the season“.

THE John Di Bartolemeo conveyed that “we are excited to return to this tournament” while o Dogus Balbai commented that “against big teams we will see where we stand“.

Instead of Ettore Messina, who had an assumed engagement, his partner was present, Mario Fiorettiwho claimed that “The tournament will help us achieve what we want. I have never met Pavlos Giannakopoulos but I recognize his invaluable contribution“