Papanikolopoulos: “Easy to renew with Karditsa”

For the renewal of his collaboration with Carditsawhich came effortlessly as a decision, spoke o Nikos Papanikolopoulos on EEC Web Radio. At the same time, he took stock of this season, mentioned the health that the club radiates and the ambitions for the new season. He spoke in detail:

For his renewal with Karditsa: “Me and the management always talk about the future of the team, so whenever we talked, everything we talked about it was with the future in mind. Through this discussion, from the moment we got the result, it was a very easy renewal, in which we had to sit at the table for 2-3 minutes, say some formalities and it was over.”

For his impressions of the team: “It’s going well so far. There is a very good cooperation with the team, the city and the society. There is a lot of appreciation and respect on both sides. It’s been a very easy renewal and we’re slowly moving forward to see the planning for next season.”

On what he has in store for this season: “I would definitely keep the great team togetherness that the team had when there were the effects of the disaster and how we all reacted together. Also, I would keep the very good atmosphere between the players and our optimism from the beginning that we will succeed and it will be a good year. The third and very important thing is the support of the people we had throughout the season. It was very important for us and we hope to continue to live it and give joy to the people of Karditsa, but also the wider area of ​​Thessaly”.

For next season’s goal: “All the teams at the level of Karditsa are looking at staying in the division and if it comes soon you can see something different. It depends on many parameters, such as the format and once we have the whole picture we will be able to talk about goals. The first thing is for the team to remain in the division, to play proper basketball, to “build” at all levels and, from there, a better year and participation in the play-offs. Obviously it would be a goal, but you can’t know that from now on.”

For the “trunk” of the group: “The goal is always the “trunk” and the creation of a “trunk” last year was one of the main demands. We will try to keep a fairly large part of the Greek “core” in the team and then we will start discussions with foreign players. Discussions have taken place with the children even before the championship ends. From next week we will start having the necessary announcements”.

On the group’s relationship with society: “The team’s relationship with society has been steadily “built” over the last 8 years by an administration that lives in the society of Karditsa and has a very good interaction with real life. It peaked in last year’s match against Ionikos and continued throughout this year and it was something that gave us strength in order to get the results. It is something that is “built” from the first day steadily and with the right steps”.

For the health emitted by the group: “People take the budget as far as their legs go. The team operates very professionally, with great consistency and we take that back. Every year the conversations with the players are easier and easier. This is something that is being “built” and will continue to be “built”. This health emitted by the team is first of all taken back by the players. It’s in a safe environment, in an environment with principles. In the 1.5 years that I have been here, anyone who has come to work with the team has left with good memories and a lot of respect from the team.”

For Greek basketball: “In the last two years I feel that basketball is on the rise. The response of the people is growing, the participation of children is growing and it is something that we take back like a bucket with the participation of Greek teams in top competitions. With the Euroleague of Panathinaikos, the participation of Olympiakos for the 3rd year in a row in the Final-4, the progress of Peristeri, Prometheus, Aris, PAOK. It is something that is rising overall and the “icing on the cake” in this will be a success of the national team”.