T. Antetokounmpo: “It has done us a lot more good that we are not considered favorites”

The fact that it is not among the favorites for the World Cup works in favor of the National Team, according to his words Thanasis Antetokounmpowho made statements ahead of the 2nd phase of the event.

What he said in detail

“Congratulations to the guys who are here. They gave it their all. The schedule against Jordan and New Zealand was about wins, but the way the squad is with the absences and the loss of Dino, it was important that we did with what we had. All the lads were stars in their own role and we all showed, from the bench and from the coaches, that nothing matters more than winning and qualifying“, initially stated the 31-year-old ace.

He then said of the first phase: “We wanted to show what it means to represent the country. Sometimes the will to win trumps talent. We may not have achieved what we want all these years, but we have never been left out of the first phase. At halftime, the coach let us talk to each other a bit and told us to go in and give it our all.”

Regarding the match against New Zealand, he said: “In the first half we went to play their own basketball, beat us and beat them. In the second half, however, we decided to show what toughness means in our own way, through attack and defense».

He did not fail to mention the arbitration part: “I would like there to be consistency in the whistles. It should not be a match one way or another. Some teams have an identity, they will play hard etc. In such a match there should be the same criteria on both sides».

Regarding the fact that Greece is not considered a favorite: “We can finally enjoy a win because they don’t consider us favorites (laughs). They see it differently in Greece and differently outside. Abroad they are afraid to play against us… We have set some standards, when someone wants to do championships they must have some standards. It has done us much more good that we are not considered favorites».

As for whether there is a “must” in the National Team:I’ve strayed a bit from the ‘should’. I’m living the life I’ve been praying all my life to live. When I put ‘must’ and ask for more, I sometimes feel bad. I play basketball, I’m here, my family is fine. I can’t have ‘must’, especially in this National Team. What I’m asking is the guys who are here to look out for them, because they are the future of the team. Nothing matters other than giving it your all, being there for your teammates and hopefully winning. And when it’s all over, say ‘we gave it our all and it’s OK’».

In conclusion, Thanasis Antetokounmpo said:National teams are linked to the player’s personal development. It is not possible for the National team to have players if there are no players in the teams. This starts with teams and infrastructure. We have to throw these kids in the deep end. When I was younger we had a National A’ team and a National B’ team. If our league also grows and we do not force many players to leave but keep them in Greece, the situation may improve and we will see this in a few years in the National Team. It is no coincidence that Spain is playing well. Rubio has been playing professionally since he was 14, he was thrown in and let him make mistakes. Put it to see. It’s Rubio, it’s Doncic, but… All these kids look at us, they say I want to be like Giannis, Thanasis, Papanikolaou and Papapetrou, but they go to their teams and don’t take the chance. I’m not talking about favorable treatment. I know we are all judged by wins, titles and medals, but get the kids to play, because we need seeds. It is important for the future».