“Elite League Henry Dunan will become a destination”

The countdown to the start of its second season Elite League Henry Dunan began on Wednesday with the presentation of the new championship, in an event held at the Olympic Museum (Golden Hall). The President of the EEC, Vangelis Liolios, referenced the growth strides made last season while setting the bar even higher for the new season. “This championship is not a stepping stone, but in a short time it will become a destination and we want it to help the development of athletes and the upgrading of Greek basketball“, he emphasized.

Evangelos Liolios (President of EEC): “I’m glad to be among you for the presentation of the Elite League. Last year the championship entered every home, we had two million views. When we were switching from the drachma to the euro, we wanted some time. This is done on all changes. And the Elite League has not only changed in name, but also in philosophy. I welcome the teams that have moved up, we have a mix of teams with history and ambition. Having two vacant positions, we operated with the wild card system and the two teams were Aias Evosmou and Mykonos. This year’s Elite League will be very exciting, with a mix of teams that have history, that have experience and some newcomers that have unlimited ambition. The Basket League is the first category, the top of the pyramid and the showcase of Greek basketball is there, but the Elite League for us is and will be the destination. Everyone will be able to say they are part of a league that has it all. All the teams need to have a common vision with us and the clubs should work for their team, for their region and for Greek basketball. We have planned how we want the category to be in three years, but… step by step. We thank our sponsor, Errikos Dunan, but also Action 24, which will bring the championship to more homes.”

“Last year we had 2 million views at the games, this year we want to go 50% higher and next year it will double. 859 unions throughout Greece participated in a questionnaire about all the actions of the federation. We asked what was the most interesting league in the national divisions and 29.92% said the Basket League and 46% said the Elite League. This in itself gives us a responsibility in what we have to do. Every time we have to be alert to make the league more interesting, more beautiful in the image, in our stadiums that need improvement. We need to improve our image in the stands. We asked the groups about the issue of violence, about who is responsible and 63% answered the state, while 28% answered the actors. I’m keeping this. So, from our side, we should know that we have done our utmost to limit violence in the stadiums.

We asked the players what they think the EEC should do about violence in stadiums. They answered two things, to impose very strict sanctions on the teams and to ban the hooligans from entering. We will therefore be very strict on our part. We are asked by the sports movement and that is how we will improve the product. We should know that the stadiums are an environment of culture.

We also asked about refereeing, there was a difference in responses between national and local leagues. In the associations there is a small satisfaction in the associations, this percentage shoots up in the national categories. Our actions are to improve the environment at the races. We will look to have the best referees possible, a mix of experienced and new referees.

None of us would be able to be here and have such an impact if you bands didn’t do this. You are responsible if a league goes well and we as management are responsible if something goes wrong. The cooperation we have is excellent. This championship is not a stepping stone, but in a short time it will become a destination and we want it to help the development of athletes and the upgrading of Greek basketball”.

Nikos Nikolopoulos (General Secretary EEC / Chairman of the Championships Committee): “Everything good we see in this league is because of you and we are helping to do everything we can. I welcome the new teams in the category. I want to thank the major sponsor of the championship, Henry Dunan, Action 24 who will contribute to the promotion of the category and I wish everyone good health and a good cooperation”.

Tasos Delimbaltadakis (Elite League Commissioner Errikos Dunan): “I want to thank the teams that came, especially those that came from outside Athens. I believe that next year this presentation will take place outside of Athens. Because I discuss with all 16 groups, I see that they are all in a tension, in something they are asking for and waiting for. I don’t know if it stems from stress, from the increase in the budget in some or from trying to stay. From our side, I would like you to know that everything is done in a fair and meritorious way. I know what happened in the past and what has been happening in the last two years. I want you to sleep peacefully that everything is done right and to only deal with your games”.

Nikos Kollias (Commercial Director of Communication and Marketing Errikos Dunan): “It is our honor and joy that the championship bears our name. I want to wish all the teams the best of luck. It makes us proud as sponsors that the Errikos Dunan Elite League is a nursery of Greek basketball. Let me remind you of a phrase of a French leader that ‘ability is useless without opportunity’. Give the young guys a chance, the federation gave it and we saw the bronze medal won by the Youth National Team. Good luck to everyone”.

Kostas Delegos (coach Ayandas Evosmou): “I want to wish all the teams a good season. I think we will have an exciting league and that those of us involved in it will contribute to the best next day for young players. Let’s try to improve the product of the Elite League, which in recent years has taken steps forward.”

Michalis Kouris (coach Amyntas): “Happy new year to everyone. I believe we will see a very nice league, with players we have never seen before going down to the Elite League. We, as coaches, will try to have everything in a calmer atmosphere.”

Dinos Kalambakos (coach of Doxa Lefkada): “A new effort is starting for the Glory of Lefkada. I’m tired of seeing so many of you (laughs). I agree with what is being done for the good of the league. A lot has happened in these two years. Last year showed that good basketball can be played and new guys can come out. I hope we present a beautiful product.”

Kyriakos Papadopoulos (coach of Eleftheroupoli): “I want to convey to you the greetings of the whole team. We like being in this league and every year we put in a lot of work to go one step forward every year.”

Fotis Vassilopoulos (leader Ermis Schimatariou): “I want to wish us a good year in a very competitive league. Let’s be healthy and enjoy the season.”

Giannis Sofogiannis (coach of Esperos Lamia): “We are happy that after many years of effort we put Lamia back on the basketball map. We must enjoy this course and hope to remain among you as long as we can. Health to everyone and let’s all hold basketball high together.”

Thanasis Yaples (coach Iraklis): “Congratulations to EEC for upgrading the category which is obvious and necessary. It is a necessity for the league to contribute to the development of new players. Happy new year to everyone”.

Petros Noeas (leader of Koriou Amaliadas): “I want to wish health to everyone and good success to all the teams. This year we will have the most competitive championship in recent years.”

Giorgos Mantalos (coach of Megarida): “We at Megara feel proud to be part of this product and the city listens to what is being done. We enjoy the result and the contribution of the people of the local community should be highlighted. We have made the city proud and we want that to be reflected in the hospitality of all the teams. The end does not justify the means, we all want to feel beautiful. To smile whenever we meet, as is the case today.”

Nikos Karagiannis (Milon coach): “We are very proud of Milos that we are returning to the best league of Greek basketball. I wish everyone a good season and a good cooperation.”

Giannis Tzimas (Mykonos coach): “I want to wish courage and strength to the people of Thessaly. Mykonos brings a nice proposal to the best championship of all time which I believe will take place this year. The difficulties are great for a team based on an island, but the people of the team are making a great effort.”

Dimitris Houchoulis (Panerythraikos coach): “I hope we have a good year competitively and in terms of health. I want to thank the agents of the groups who invest money and time so that we can do what we love as a profession. Without them it would be a gift. I want to say a big thumbs up to the EEC. Last year I lived until the last moment all the changes that were made. This year we are all ready to accept the new changes and put a stone together to upgrade the product, in the most competitive league of all time. All the teams have made strong moves, it will be interesting for those who watch it and soul-destroying for those who experience it. Everything will be fine. Our team will continue with the plan it has had in recent years with new athletes and a new team. All the children created surplus value, some went to A1, we had two children in Neo Andron, Oikonomopoulos and Mermigis. I hope we can achieve similar things this year as well.”

Dimitris Verginis (leader of Panioni): “I want to wish good luck to all the teams. This year the championship will be quite competitive and exciting. Panionios has formed a very quality roster and the goal is to continue the effort that started last year. Let’s give everything so that Panionios can return to where it belongs, in the Elite League. We also want to honor the institution of the Cup. I want to mention the loss of our player who passed away so unexpectedly (Donovan Marshall Johnson), it gives us extra motivation. We also wish good luck to Panagiotis Vyrlas”.

Fotis Karakostas (Papagou coach): “It is our pleasure to be here and the goal is to be here again next year. We are probably the youngest team, there has been a total facelift in the roster and we will try to achieve our goal. I would be very happy if the nice atmosphere we have now between us, we meet again in May and everyone feels that they are where they deserved to be. Innovations that have been made, such as double tickets, have helped a lot. But I would like to see more discussion of how much the presence of two foreigners in each team helps the development of Greek basketball.”

Giorgos Remendelas (Psychikos coach): “I would prefer not to be here today, after the great effort we have made in the previous two years to go up to the first division. But I am glad that we will participate in such a competitive championship, with short distances. I think that the two foreigners have given another glamor and do not hinder the development of new athletes, as by facing better players they become better themselves. I want to congratulate the contributors of the league, they have given glamor that was missing and I hope that at some point it will reach the level of second division leagues, such as Spain and France. I wish good strength to all the coaches, health to the athletes and courage to the agents, because without them the championship would not be maintained at this high level”.

Ilias Moutsios (coach Harilaou Trikoupis): “Hopefully I finished last so that doesn’t reflect in May. Congratulations to EEC because a lot has been done in the last two years, we are on the right track. We are coming off a very difficult season, averaging close to 20 years. This year the league will be fully competitive. I would like to wish the players health, the coaches a strong stomach, the administrations a little patience and no hasty decisions. We are waiting for you all in the exotic Messolonghi”.