G. Kalaitzakis: “At Lietkambelis, I’m thankful for basketball again after a long time”

THE George Kalaitzakis is having a very good season with Lithuanian Lietkabelis, averaging 10 points and 3 rebounds in the league and 10.5 points and 4 rebounds in the Eurocup.

The Greek guard/forward was hosted at EEC Web Radio and talked about his presence so far in his new team, for the Lithuanian league, the Euroleague but also the two “eternal” of this season.

In detail what he said:

Regarding the postponement of today’s (30/10) Valencia-Lietkambelis match: “I didn’t have any information, I thought that the match would take place normally, until this morning when the Team Manager sent that the match will not take place. I haven’t spoken to my teammates yet, because they had gone to practice. From what I have been informed, they will return this evening.”

For his impressions of Lietkampelis so far: “It’s a familiar environment for me, I’ve played in Lithuania before, I know the team very well, Panagiotis played here, so I know the people, the management and all the members very well. I am very happy so far, very pleased. It’s still early, the team is still rolling. I am waiting how and how to come back from the injury, integrate and help the team to win as I can”.

On his personal goals: “I’m at an age where I’ve matured a bit in my way of thinking and playing. I am here, I like it very much, I enjoy every day, every match, every training session, whether I play or not, I like it. Thank you basketball again after a long time. It is an environment that “hugs” you as a group. I don’t want to think long-term, I want to think about each match and each training individually. My personal goal is to arrive in June and say that I took a step as a player and as a person, that I became a better player.”

For the Lithuanian league: “From the friendlies I watched the teams and when the season started, I was very impressed by the improvement of the Lithuanian league. I remember 5 years ago that it was not so competitive. Zalgris won every match by large margins. All the teams have been promoted, they have quality rosters, very good coaches. I’m very happy that there is this improvement in the league and it’s something that will make me and my teammates better.”

For basketball in Lithuania: “It’s a very basketball country. People and fans understand basketball, every court is full, every weekend they support their team. It’s their number one sport and you really see that every television has a basketball game. It’s a big part of their lives.”

About the start of Zalgiris in the Euroleague and the championship: “It’s still very early, we’re not even a month into the season. When you are a team that has two games a week, it is very difficult to put your mind in the right place and concentrate. Sure it’s hard, but it’s every athlete’s job to do it. I am not surprised with Zalgris, I know and see that they are a very good team, with a very good coach, very “tied”, they play as a team. Her progress in the Euroleague is not accidental at all. When it comes to the league, it’s completely different in a player’s mind how they think. I will mention again how much improvement the Lithuanian league has shown and how many teams can beat Zalgiris every week. It won’t be easy at all for Zalgiris, because there are strong teams, like Wolves, us, Ritas, who can “beat” them.

For the rosters of the two “eternals”: “They are two of the best rosters in the Euroleague. I am just a spectator in these matches, I like to see good basketball and may the best man win. Certainly many things play a role, because we have seen teams with very quality players and large rosters not achieve anything. They matter how healthy the team will be, how much it will “bond”, the roles it will have, which are very important. It’s a lot of small things that have to fit together like a puzzle for a team to do well. It remains to be seen how the two teams will proceed.”

For today’s (30/10) away match between Aris and Burg: “It will be a very difficult match. Can Aris “beat” it, because the EuroCup is a very strong league, any team can win any one. Mars in the last games has an upward trajectory. It will be a very difficult match, because Burg is a very good team. He plays fast, he has good players, he has bodies.”