Prekas: “We are working for the November “windows”, what characterizes the Women’s National Team is the culture”

The coach of the Women’s National Team, Petros Prekaswas hosted on EEC WebRadio and referred to the course of the “blue and white” in his two years of tenure on its bench, the calls of many female athletes and the assumption of Eurobasket 2025 from Greece.

In detail what he said:

For the “Vasso Beskaki” tournament (17-19/06): “Once again this tournament is taking place, for the 3rd year in a row. This summer it will take place in Ioannina with the help of the Ioannina region. It is very good that it will be held there, a great effort is being made in the local community to attract people and promote women’s basketball. I am very happy that it will be held in a city that has “embraced” women’s basketball. It’s an opportunity for us to reach out to the local community and help promote women’s basketball.”

On how they approach the tournament: “I have been in the Women’s National Team for the last 2 years or so, the foundations have been laid, we know exactly what we are doing, we have a competitive and non-competitive culture. It will be the first year this year that we won’t have any stress. We will play two matches against Croatia and Denmark. We have many new faces in the National team, new girls. We will do tests and go do something that we will also enjoy and without stressing.”

On the fact that different girls are constantly called: “We will have some losses for sports reasons as well. Throughout the year we try to find new gymnasts to invite to the national team, in the last 2 years we have invited several gymnasts. At each invitation of the national team, we also bring new faces”.

For the preparation: “Beyond the group process, everything we do now we do for the November “windows”, we will work on this during these 10 days. We have prepared a plan for these games. Also, the team of the national team has done a task on the individual characteristics and weaknesses of the girls and in these 10 days a part of the training will have to do with the individual improvement of the players. In fact, we have made the program so that in the morning we will do group training and in the afternoon individual training”.

For the “identity” of the National Team: “Certainly we have been working on some parts of the team attack and defense for 2 years. We have some basic characteristics that we keep in every call and match and on top of that we add depending on the characteristics of the opposing team. What is basic and characterizes the Women’s National Team is the culture. Everything we do matters, how we do it and how we present it on the dance floor. The children make a great effort, they have been “watered” with this culture and in every match we are in we have a very good face. We are a team that plays together and we are a very competitive team in Europe now.”

For the “windows” games: “It has nothing to do with the ranking in the group. All three teams in the group will host a group in Eurobasket. Wins and differences play a role in the ranking and standings in the capacity groups of the Eurobasket draw. Apart from the importance of the draw, it is understood that it is also important for us, because we always play for the best, we play to win and it has to do with our own personal element”.

Regarding the assumption of EuroBasket 2025 by Greece: “Once again we have to say a very big ‘thank you’ to EEC for the effort it made to take over EuroBasket 2025. It is important for everyone, it shows the Federation’s interest in women’s basketball, which is very important. As far as EuroBasket 2025 is concerned, there are two routes. One is until EuroBasket 2025, where great efforts are being made to promote women’s basketball and this will help for the future. The second is the course of the Eurobasket days, how competitive the team will be on the floor and if success comes, the impetus will be even greater for new girls to come to basketball. That’s an important goal for us, it’s not just the result, it’s how we bring new kids into the sport. It is certainly a great motivation for the female athletes, both as a team and individually.”

For the development part: “We have cooperation with coach Missa, it goes without saying. The coach has taken over the development part from the girls down more, but we have a partnership in terms of the girls, juniors and young women’s divisions, so that we have a common sense in the way we play and present ourselves on the court. With the feedback we are getting from Kostas Missas, we already have an increase in the source of girls involved in women’s basketball nationwide. Efforts are being made on this, such as Women Rising Stars or the echelons, “fruits” have already come out of this, things are happening. Another big part is that we are trying to organize a network of gymnasts so that the girls can become more athletic, because that is where Greek women’s basketball is lagging behind. A huge effort is being made and I believe that in the coming years we will get results”.