The legends of 1987 and 2005 in EEC blood donation

The 36-year anniversary of the day that changed the course of Greek basketball coincided with the World Volunteer Blood Donor Day and the Hellenic Basketball Federation combined the happy occasion with giving back to fellow human beings. With the slogan “Basketball is in our blood”, a voluntary blood donation was organized at the EEC offices.

The president of the federation, Vangelis Lioliosstated: “Basketball is in our blood, this is exactly the motto and this is our life for 36 years now. We must honor the past and be ready, with patience and humility, so that the National team, which always makes us proud, can take us out on the streets again. Those days are alive, we remember them every year, we dream of them and we believe that what happened in 1987 and happened again in 2005, will happen again. We honor the day in which basketball began to spread to every corner of Greece, giving a social message, that of donating blood. It is the interest in our fellow man, which after all, this is what basketball also expresses».

Two prominent members of the 1987 team, Nikos Stavropoulos and Nikos Filippou they talked about the historic anniversary, but also the blood donation. “We are all here, recognizable and unrecognizable, to do our duty to our fellow man by donating blood. It is another important initiative of the federation. June 14th is a very significant date, the president arriving here said ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. This has been passed around the world. The 36 years that have passed are too many, but people still remember it. We are here to do new things and help grow basketball. Society needs big moments and they don’t come suddenly. We always hope for something similar and we owe it to our children. We want them to play basketball and enjoy it, see it as a game. This is also the effort of the federation, to bring children closer to the game of basketball, which is the most spectacular game“, emphasized the man who is now in charge of the development program.

Mr. Nikos Filippou said: “It is a day that we all remember, not only us but also all Greeks. It is a happy occasion that coincides with World Blood Donation Day. Basketball is in our blood and we can give our blood to save people. The joy is great for this anniversary, because 36 years ago it was the beginning of the launch of basketball and Greek sports. In all this many factors played a role, not only players, but coaches, federation and above all the people, who were our main player and this is not a stereotype. The world was an important part of our success and even today it gives us a sweetness and a warmth inside». As for the honor that will be given to Nikos Galis in the friendly against Slovenia on August 4 at OAKA? “Nikos Galis deserves the most, no matter how many honors are given to him. It is a joy for all of us and through this honor we are also happy and get a small piece».

The youngest generation of European champions, that of 2005, was also present. THE Municipality of Dikoudishead of National Teams and member of the EEC Board of Directors, pointed out: “The federation shows its social work and wants to contribute to this effort by donating blood to our fellow human beings who need it. 1987 means a lot for Greek basketball, we must remember this success and honor the people who gave it to our country».

THE Kostas Tsartsarishead of development, noted: “First of all we are human beings and fellow human beings. Donating blood is a simple process and through it we can save a life. The least we can do, then, is to go to a blood donation center and help our fellow man. This initiative coincides with the anniversary of 1987, a very important day. It is the day when all of us loved basketball more and were able to keep it high. We owe everything to the 1987 team, we owe it to us to be here, we owe it to us to win the same trophy in 2005 and we owe it to be able to be in some positions now to help the sport».

Women’s basketball had its own representation. “I was on the court, not only in the final, but in all the games of the National team in 1987. This success changed basketball, gave a lot to the new generations and we hope that this will continue through the sport. The anniversary coincides with the World Voluntary Blood Donation Day, which is something very important for humanity“, emphasized the head of Women’s basketball and a member of the EEC Board of Directors, Anne Konstantinidou. “With a lot of work and planning anything can be done. Things don’t change overnight in women’s basketball, what’s certain is that we’re here to try. Let’s wish good success to our National team in the Women’s Eurobasket. We have a mixture of old and new players and we are sure that the team will give their best».

Another player-legend of Greek basketball, h Evina Maltsis, was also present. “Blood donation is one of the many social actions of the EEC and we send a very strong message to our fellow human beings. It is happy timing that it coincides with the anniversary of 1987, a success that was so important for the development of Greek basketball. Of course I believe that such a success can happen again and that is why we are all working. I am an optimist by nature, just like the Women’s National Team, which begins its Eurobasket campaign tomorrow. Her presence at the event is already a great success. The girls will give their best and we will be there for them and proud of them“, underlined the person responsible for the promotion of women’s basketball.

The “present” was also given by the former Minister of Health, Thanos Pleuris. “During my time as minister we had many joint actions with the federation to promote health issues and today’s blood donation is another excellent initiative. Basketball is indeed in our blood and we want to help people who need our blood. So today’s action is both essential and symbolic. Basketball has given us enormous joys and we look forward to the next joys».