The captain of the Cyprus national team, Simon Michaelwas hosted on EOK WebRadio’s “Instant Replay” show and talked about the great moment of Cypriot basketball!
The 32-year-old ace referred to Cyprus’ maiden participation in the final phase Eurobasketas, next summer, it will host one of the groups of the event!
At the same time, he also dwelled on his imminent presence Moses Wright of Olympiakos in the national team of Cyprus, stressing that the naturalized center will offer a lot to the team.
Simon Michael’s statements in detail:
On their impatience for today’s (21/11) match with France: “Of course there is, especially from the side of the athletes. We see it as a very good opportunity to compete with players and talents that we may not get the chance to again. In the 2025 group we will have another chance. We look forward with enthusiasm and competition, with a sporting ego. It’s a very good opportunity for us.”
On whether they wanted to play full France: “Sure, but it doesn’t stop being France, it doesn’t stop being No.2 in the world. We understand the differences between the two countries and the capacity at all levels. If the team was more complete, there would definitely be an extra interest, because we would see some names that we may not have the opportunity to see again”.
For having already qualified for EuroBasket 2025 as organizers: “As players, we don’t deal with it that way, because there is a desire to be competitive. When you want to be competitive, you value your work and you want to present a result that honors you, you don’t want to go in with a “cushion” and the mentality that you don’t care about the result because we’ve passed. We see it as a qualifying game as it would be in any other group, because at the end of the day that level and talent is what we’re going to be up against in the groups.”
To promote basketball in Cyprus with Eurobasket 2025: “The theory says this, now in practice it’s how you’re going to promote it, how you’re going to lay a solid foundation, how you’re going to use this group to make a change in the culture, a change in the world of Cyprus to promote basketball so that there is a imprint after group. Not to be the group of 2025 and then nothing. It is definitely a huge opportunity to “push” basketball in Cyprus, but we must use it properly”.
On how they expect Eurobasket 2025: “With great honor, but also great responsibility. It is a huge life opportunity for us who will live those who will be in that “window” of the groups. It’s a huge opportunity to experience something that will be unique for the rest of our lives.”
For people’s response: “The world has shown us that it supports the effort of the National Team. He has shown in recent years that he loves basketball, he loves coming to watch these games, he lives it during the game. I think today will be another example. In general, Cyprus loves basketball and has shown it in recent years.”
On the “identity” of Cyprus: “We rely mainly on audacity, defensive and offensive, as well as the very good chemistry we have between us as a team and mainly on the intensity and passion that generally characterizes Cypriot teams.”
About Moses Wright: “Competitively just one player like him obviously has a lot to give to a National team like us who generally lag behind in terms of that position and the attributes that this player brings.”
Source: Sport Fm
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