Laying the groundwork for Amarousiou’s future is the goal of Ilias Zouros for his team, as he stated on EEC Web Radio in the aftermath of qualifying for the second phase of the FIBA Europe Cup. The 58-year-old technician spoke in detail:
To qualify for the next phase of the FIBA Europe Cup: “Congratulations do not go to the coach, but to the team. The whole team gave their best, the players, the coaches. When a qualification is made it is not only from the people who came, but also from those who were before and also put a lot of effort into getting the team here. We are very happy, because to qualify and play in a European competition with good teams is something we all need. For Maroussi, which is a big team that has had success in Europe in the past, it is important to have experiences and improve through these games.”
For their goal in the next phase: “I can’t say anything at this particular time, because I haven’t seen the teams we play against. I have no picture of the teams. From the moment you enter the process of the next phase, for each team the goal is to pass and advance as far as possible to the end. And for us, the goal is to be very strong and tough game by game and to manage to qualify. With this logic, a team is “built” on stronger foundations, it enters the championship process in everything it does, and that’s the only way you can improve and become better.”
On whether the victory of Aris was the one that changed the psychology of the team: “Certainly for the psychological part it played a decisive role in the children believing in themselves, feeling better with each other and finding more rhythm. The most important thing is that the team has to get into a different situation in speed in attack and play better in defense. Play tougher defense, better one-on-one defense, control rebounds. There are some pieces in which we need daily improvement and concentration.”
On how much the team has changed compared to their first game, against Norrköping: “When there is a coaching change, it takes time to pass a philosophy. We still haven’t gotten to the level of assimilating some of the things we want. The mood is there. In the first matches, when you think you are slower, more hesitant, while now that we are starting to feel better with what we have to do, we are relatively faster and in some things a little more… automated. The picture is much better, but we must always be grounded, because we cannot get excited after 2-3 wins and forget that the daily work makes the team better and the improvement in the details gives the possibility to do something more” .
On whether the high expectations from the roster created puts pressure on them: “Our goal is for the team to try to do the best and “build” on creating a strong player base for the future. History has shown that when a team is patient, works and goes with the same coaching direction, the results come. Having a good season can be just a “firework”. Our goal is for the team to get into some basics, try to do the best they can and gradually “build” something good for the future. Duration brings the result.”
For the upcoming (17/11) game with Lavrio: “Lavrio has shown a very good image in the last games, as far as I have seen at least. They are a team that plays well, they have energy, they have a goal in their game. It will be a tough match. In the Greek league the differences are not very big, so you have to impose your pace and toughness to be able to win. I hope we can be focused on Sunday. It is an important match, because it is at home and after a European game, which means that the team may not be at the level of freshness that we want. We have to be focused and win, because then comes the break where we can recover and get into a process of improvement.”
To support the world: “A great effort is being made by the administration. We, for our part, must do our best. I believe people are starting to understand what we do and how we strive. I hope that soon he will “embrace” this effort, that the stadium will be full as time goes by, that people will come to see our games, see the work being done and enjoy themselves. It’s not about winning and losing. Fighting really hard for the jersey you represent and the players giving it their all, playing pretty attractive basketball, is a part that really should bring them to our side.”
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.
