Prekas: “Motivation but also responsibility for Women’s Eurobasket”

The coach of the Women’s National Team, Petros Prekas, spoke to EOK WebRadio about the two matches against Germany (7/11) and Italy (10/11) for the November “window” in the qualifiers for the Women’s EuroBasket 2025, but also in general about the Eurobasket 2025, the final phase of which and the matches of a group will be held at the Stadium of Peace and Friendship next June.

For the Women’s National Team, the Federal coach said: “We have built a culture in the National team of mutual support and emotions and really when we come here it is nice that we are all together, that we all play together, that we all try together and that we are here in the National team, which is an honor for all of us and we know what it means this».

Regarding the culture of the National Team, he explained:The truth is that it takes time to make it happen, it was not something that happened in an instant. We have been together with the children for 3 years. It is essential that this culture is a team effort. All this is important for the result, it’s not just about feeling good. It’s important for a team to be able to play together and have that culture».

He pointed out that he has players who want to play for the National Team:First of all, to me it goes without saying. For an athlete to play in a National team of any sport is the highest, it is the dream of many athletes. It goes without saying that everyone wants to play in the National team and represent their country. This is the one. The other thing is that for at least the 3 years that I have been there, there has been a lot of support from the Federation. An environment has been created in which children come here and feel very good. They want to come here, they’re looking forward to it, we have discussions all year round and that’s a very important part for us».

Regarding the game against Germany, Petros Prekas emphasized: “Germany is the rising power in both men’s and women’s EuroBasket. In the National women’s team, the main 6-7 players are of a very high level. They are WNBA champions, they play in the Euroleague and we also saw in the Olympiad that they had a very good presence. In terms of the racing part, it is a very big challenge for us because, apart from the quality, they have a very large size. There are too many challenges for us to meet. There is a peculiarity about the National teams, because they do not have much time to work together, this makes our work difficult. We don’t have the option of time. In 3 days we have to cover all the material. We have some ideas, the kids are in a great mood. The game against Germany is a challenge for us. We are going to do our best, play as well as we can and, why not, challenge for victory if we are given that opportunity. An important part for us is to be able to present the basketball that we can play and we are trying to “build” during this time. We Greeks have one element, the very high mood and “thirst” to claim. I think the kids will have it. I believe that the image we will make inside the stadium will be very intense, because there is a great mood».

For the 2025 Eurobasket that will be held in Greece, the Federal coach of the women’s national team underlined: “There is certainly a great motivation for EuroBasket 2025 and a great responsibility, because everyone expects a good result, but most of the athletes who play in the National Team are experienced children, they play in teams abroad, they have experience and I believe they can manage all this the situation and perhaps the stress created by a good result. We are discussing it, we are having a meeting and I believe we will manage it».

Regarding the fatigue and strain of the players, he testified: “In recent years in world basketball, because the kids play too many games, they have too much stress during the season, to come to play in the National team. The will is very important. When you have will you overcome some minor injuries, some fatigue. The will is perhaps the most important thing. Many National teams are always changing because they have shortages or additions. We have seen it in recent years. The teams, although we have an image, change at the last minute. If there is a will, all other problems are solved».