Manolopoulos: “The Greeks have returned to basketball – We have a plan for Milutinov”

The goal of qualifying for the World Cup may have been achieved, but everyone in its ranks Men’s National Team they face their struggle with great seriousness and high motivation Friday opposite to Serbia (7:00 p.m.) at the closed Liosion.

The goal is always victory, for the additional reason that all team members want to thank the public for their support throughout the qualifying journey, but also for the dynamic presence that will be present in the stands and in the last home game of the “windows”.

“It is the last home game in these qualifiers. The team is already successful, because they have secured qualification since November, which is very important and was not easy at all. The window process is very difficult and demanding, but it is important because it gives athletes the opportunity not to be tested, but to show what they are worth. We have gathered 17 people, Mantzoukas had to come back to help Panathinaikos, but all the guys have given their best and I am very pleased. As hard as it is to build a team with new guys, we’ve done the best we could and I’m proud of that.” the federal coach initially reported, Sotiris Manolopoulos.

Regarding the treatment of Nikola Milutinov, he emphasized that “It’s not just Milutinov to watch out for, he’s just maybe the biggest name on Serbia’s roster. He is a Euroleague level player, he just happens not to be playing for a Euroleague team this season. We have made our plans for Milutinov, as well as dealing with other players. It is important that everyone’s best effort is made. I believe we will be very competitive.”

Regarding the large audience expected in Liosia, he said that, “It is very important that the stadium will be almost full. The public’s help is a big deal. We thank the fans very much for that. I think that the world has returned to basketball, we experienced it last year in the windows, but also in the summer in the friendlies before the Eurobasket. This is very important.”

“I don’t think it’s a question of being more relaxed because we’ve qualified. Every time we are here, we give our best and those who compete on Friday will give their best. The people have been very supportive of the National team, I have experienced this throughout the window process, as wherever we played the stadiums were packed. Their help is very important. The process of the windows is combined with the selection of new faces in the National team and the support of the people is necessary. I hope we can play good basketball on Friday and it will be combined with a victory in front of our audience.” he added on his part Vassilis Mouratos.

“It is our pleasure to be here. Regardless of the fact that we have already secured qualification, we want to show our best and get the win. We represent our country and we want to do it in the most dynamic way by giving everything we have. We expect Serbia to come in really strong, it’s a very important game for them because they haven’t qualified yet, but we shouldn’t have a different approach either, because otherwise the gap will be too big. We have seen the Serbian team, we know the players and their philosophy, but we are looking at our own team and how we will look tough and competitive.” were his words Dimitris Flionis.