Antonakis: “Panionios will fight against AEK”

THE Panionios is ready for the big challenge of the Final 8 Cup. The blue-and-red forward Tasos Antonakisspoke to the EEC website about Thursday’s quarter-final against AEK and what its presence in Heraklion means for his team’s gradual return to the living rooms.

-What are your thoughts on the first Final 8 in the history of the Greek Cup?

“First of all, we should give many congratulations to the EEC for making progress both with the UNICEF TROPHY which we won and we are happy and with the Final 8 which is held in all advanced countries. We are all very happy to be at the first OPAP Cup Final 8 in history and we feel the responsibility of our presence. We represent a historic team and will face very big opponents from the Basket League. Panionios honored the institution of the Cup and with the competitive behavior we will have as well as with the respect for ourselves and all the teams, we will indicate the desire of the team to return soon to where its history dictates”.

-Where do you think your team’s quarterfinal match will be decided?

“Let’s not laugh… There is a difference in capacity and this is something that no one can dispute. If we didn’t admit it, we would be lying not only to the sports fan world but also to ourselves. Nevertheless, it is certain that we will give all our strength, we will fight from the beginning to the end against AEK. The rest will be seen on the floor.”

-What is the biggest challenge for your team through its presence in the Final 8?

“The presence of Panioni in the OPAP Final 8 Cup marks the team’s return to a high level. We are very happy about this but believe me we would be even more so if we were not only satisfied with the participation and we were contenders. To get here we won the UNICEF TROPHY by defeating five teams competing in the Henrique Dunan Elite League, i.e. a division above us. The big goal of the team is promotion, which will be ensured through the playoff process in the championship of the Second National League. It is the big and main goal. The OPAP Cup Final 8 is a huge challenge since the lights will be focused on Heraklion, we will be with the big teams and this creates good feelings both for us because of the high level of competition, therefore the motivation, and for the world of Panioni, who had been used to enjoying the team in such matches in all previous years. We want to show that Panionios has the perspective. so that it will soon return to the heights, as it used to be.”