Guest on the first episode of Stoiximan GBL’s new podcast called “Man to Man” o Kostas Sloukas!
The ace of Panathinaikos AKTOR spoke about his path in basketball, about last year’s magical journey with the “greens” and the series of the Euroleague playoffs against Maccabi, which he described as the most difficult of his career, about Olympiakos that has gotten stronger a lot, but also for his presence in the National Team!
In detail what he said:
“I remember in the series after a bad game I played against Maccabi that the room didn’t fit me. I would watch a series and get up, look out the window and think. The room didn’t fit me, I sat and looked at the window by myself, I tried to read a book and I couldn’t. It was a very difficult series. Very difficult days. I’ve played a lot of playoff series, but this was the toughest.
On the day of the match, when we would either draw or go home, I went down for breakfast at a quarter past 8 because I had no sleep and I saw Papapetrou already downstairs and sitting in the sun. There was a climate in the team that we have reached the source, we must also drink water, go to the Final Four. And we said that we will remember this day when we get the Final Four.
Personally I also have a sense of responsibility when they trust me and I want to give my best. Last year, Panathinaikos played 6-7 games with their backs against the wall and won them all. This shows the champion team. The two victories may be achieved by some, the third in a row is achieved by those who have the metal of the champion. The other teams did not.
Ataman is very optimistic and that comes from work. I remember we were losing a game to Maccabi at home and the man was saying “get tickets to the Final Four”, he really believed it.
I know the coach because we played for many years in Turkey. I appreciate him both as a person and as a coach. What I want is for there to be trust. What I said with the president and the coach from the beginning was if you see something is not right you tell me and so do I. This directness is part of success.
Panathinaikos thrives on titles. So there will always be pressure and stress. We have learned to live like this. And this is from work. Be confident with your work and be ready. Olympiacos looks stronger this year and has players with personality, just like my friend Sasha. He has players who will pull the oar, so we look forward to the matchups.
The league has leveled up. Panathinaikos and Olympiacos have gone to another level. But there are other teams that are doing well and making it difficult for us. We’re not getting any air. We saw last year as well, Aris beat us.
I’ve said it before that Panathinaikos in 2008-09 was the best team to ever step on the court and I was beaten by several. This roster had 12 players who were one and one.
The incident with Paris Dermanis was shocking. It happened there in Belgrade. Two or three hours before the event we were drinking coffee together and talking about the series. In those days it was very difficult. We always had him in mind.
I wish all the teams the best in the new season and good minds to those who were elected and have a duty to take Greek basketball forward and I want to believe that next year I will be healthy and I will be at Eurobasket. It’s something I want. One would have to be a fool to think that I didn’t go to the Nationals because of other issues.
It is good to believe that I will stop as high as I can. My dreams and goals were not long term. I remember setting small goals.
I worked for it every day, my father, who is now dead, also helped me. He gave me the germ that every day I have to take something and work methodically. I can’t say that I had the goal of being MVP in the Final Four or lifting 4 Euroleagues. Step by step after thinking I made choices that put me on the right path”.
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.
