With the psychology at the height after its victory in the European derby of the “eternals”, Olympiacos, with polyphony in the attack, crushed Prometheus Patras with a score of 106-66, even reaching +53.
After the match, Ilias Papatheodorou he did not want to dwell on the image of the match, stressing that the defeat was normal and came fairly. On the contrary, he stood once again on the great difference in capacity between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos from the other teams of the league.
Indeed, he expressed his opinion that in order to improve this situation the two “eternal” should sit at the “table” with the State and help find a solution, however he doesn’t know how interested they are in it good of Greek basketball on an overall level.
In detail what he said:
“Congratulations to Olympiakos for the victory. He won quite rightly. We didn’t manage to look competitive for more than 12-13 minutes. In addition to the big difference in quality, we also had to manage several absences. Unfortunately for us there is also Williams’ injury, which appears to be serious. Our thoughts are on KJ more and not on today’s match.”
On how the Greek league can be improved and become more competitive: “The solution is definitely not for Olympiacos and Panathinaikos to reduce their budgets. We saw in the last match two days ago what level of basketball can be played and how lucky we are to have such big and strong teams. The problem can be contained, it cannot be solved.
Panathinaikos and Olympiacos have always had a difference from the other teams. It’s just that now the difference in rosters, budgets and proportionally at the level of the league has increased dramatically. Today we are playing a game, in which you try, try, try, but it is meaningless when Olympiacos and Panathinaikos emphasize the match.
The solutions can be a differentiation in the level of the teams’ budgets and this can happen if the product goes up and Panathinaikos and Olympiacos who have very large revenues, due to being very large clubs, manage the existing revenues differently. Whether it is the television contract, or some sponsorship from a betting company. I don’t think anyone can invest and spend more money on the other teams, we don’t have such big wallets. Probably the word invest is wrong, there is no return.
The teams must sit together with the state, but for this to happen we need the help of Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, who compete with each other. I don’t know how much they can be interested in the whole of Greek basketball, I’m not sure about that. The problem is there, it’s visible and I pointed it out last week from a question I was asked. We live with this problem, we pass these games, emphasizing, but it is utopian to compete with these teams. The difference is very big. I think only if everyone sits at the table together, which is very difficult, a solution can be found. But here they are not sitting for other things all together, I don’t know if they will sit for this. As soon as there is a basketball audience in Greece, the league should be more competitive.”
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.
