P. Kalaitzakis: “At the beginning of the year we expected to be in the playoffs, we can win the championship”

THE Panathinaikos experienced yet another defeat, this time by the Alba Berlinwhich passed after a “thriller” from OAKA with a score of 88-84.

THE Panagiotis Kalaitzakis after the match he took stock of the season so far, both his own and the team’s, while referring to the difficult continuation, the demands that exist in the Panathinaikos and the battle of the championship.

In detail what he said to Nova’s camera:

For this year’s course: “It is not time to say what is to blame and what is not, there were changes of players, coach, many will say that the team was not built correctly, others will say that it had a better roster than last year. At the end of the day, based on results, we finished a year where we expected to be in the playoffs. We are Panathinaikos, the world is used to success, to be in the playoffs every year and in the Final Four before.”

For the pressure on the team: “Playing in a club like Panathinaikos has pressure, it has the need to win, you have to give everything in every training session and match. This happens in training, especially with the new coach, there is more tension. We wanted to give something good, we didn’t succeed this year, we lost so many matches at home, we want to close with a win against Partizan and then we look at the championship”.

For his appearances this year: “Going up from the Eurocup to the Euroleague, believe me it’s something different, the Euroleague is something more. At first it was a bit difficult, then you adapt, you understand your teammates and scouting. Now I feel much better, I have demands from myself. I don’t hide behind my finger, I could have helped more when there were injuries, I wasn’t ready. We will improve and see. I knew it would be difficult, I talked to many friends, I watched many years of Euroleague, I feel good lately, it’s a very competitive league. Certainly my role this year is very different. I have ready players in front of me, my job was to come from the bench, to give energy.”

For the continuation of Panathinaikos: “You don’t have the opportunity to train while playing Euroleague, now we have some injured people coming back, we have time to train and focus on the playoffs. We have one more goal, I hope we can concentrate, foreigners are 8-9 months away from their families, but we are professionals, we have one last goal and we are going for the best. As we see every day there are changes for the better with Mr. Giannakopoulos and that is gratifying. Personally I see day by day that I am improving and helping the team. Tomorrow we have training and we’re looking at the next game.”

On whether Panathinaikos can win the championship: “Of course yes, of course. Tomorrow we have training, to do what we have to, to improve and I’m sure we will give our best.”