Without stepping on the gas, Panathinaikos AKTOR prevailed with a score of 90-82 against the worthy Prometheus in the nice atmosphere of OAKA, in a postponed match for the Stoiximan Basket League.
After the match, Ioannis Papapetrou he stood on the increased competition in the Greek league, on his own competitive rise, the series with Maccabi that passed but also the Final Four that’s coming.
In detail what he said to the ERT camera:
On the rise of Greek basketball: “Greek basketball is definitely coming back. I am happy and proud of all the Greek teams. It’s a big thing for our country in general and very nice for all the fans.”
For the Greek championship and Prometheus: “The league is much more competitive, we see it. You can’t be relaxed. Prometheus is a fighter. The schedule is tough, we’re coming off a tough playoff run.”
For the full calendar: “We thank ESAKE. No, I’m just kidding. We are professionals, there was no time. It’s just that it’s hard on the mind, not the body. It is difficult and demanding. As a professional athlete you have to be ready, in mind and body. For the body it is simpler. The mind is more difficult to control. We played good basketball. There were periods when we relaxed, we managed. I’m happy that we won.”
For his own situation: “I’m very well, I feel very well.”
On how he joined the “clover”: “It is quite easy to play in this team, because there is talent and creation. I know where I am efficient, I have experience. The hard part was that I had the surgery and the abstinence. I needed time. I tried my best. I feel very good both physically and within the team.”
On the difficult moments in the series with Maccabi Tel Aviv: “The series had many difficulties. We lost the home advantage at the beginning. In Game 2 we had our backs against the wall, it was very difficult, we felt the weight with so many people. Then we went to Belgrade, we didn’t get the first game, which we had aimed for. We had two finals ahead of us. If I remember correctly 6′ before the end we were at -7. We overdid it. Maccabi was excellent. However, the team showed that in such a short period of time, in difficult times we are always all together. Everyone puts their stone in, it’s a team score. Everyone deserves this success.”
For player-to-player discussions about the Final Four: “It’s a great feeling. You go there and claim something so big. I wish every player to feel it. We have time ahead of us to prepare and be ready. We will focus mainly on the semi-final and we want to give everything to go to the final first. Then it goes without saying that the goal is to win the Euroleague”.
For the crucial three points in Game 4 with Maccabi: “I didn’t think of anything. It felt good from the moment it left my hand. I felt it was a good shot. You don’t have time to think at some point. All this works on the automatic, you pick up the ball and shoot it.”
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
