Kouseloglou: “The biggest gain is the atmosphere of the stadium, Papanikolaou is an example for everyone”

OR National prevailed with its 77-67 of Great Britainas part of the 4th matchday of the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers, and the “official favorite” forward, Yannis Kouseloglouwas “hosted” on his “Live Replay” show EOK WebRadio.

Her player AEK Betsson stood in the great atmosphere created by the friends of Greece in “Palataki”, emphasized how important it is for young children to see and love the basketballwhile he referred to Kostas Papanikolaou as a great role model.

He said in detail:

For the win over Great Britain: “In the first game we started very well, but in the end we lost. In the second game at our home, in “Palataki”, with the crowd, we got this important victory”.

Regarding the fact that the game took place in Thessaloniki and “Palataki”: “We had played in “Palataki” before, the fans there create a terrible atmosphere, the crowd, the kids, it’s something that gives us players a boost, gives us incredible energy, even outside the field. That’s how I was when I was young, when I went to watch matches I saw players and dreamed of playing like that one day. For us players, this is something very beautiful, because we want the children to be more involved in basketball.”

For the atmosphere: “The biggest gain is this. You can’t be sure if you will win or lose, that’s how basketball is, but what you gain is that people go to the court, that young children are more involved in basketball, that more people watch basketball and especially the National Men’s National Team which is highest honor for every athlete. It’s a great feeling when you see kids watch basketball and then want to go play basketball and have a dream when they grow up to play in the Men’s National Team.”

On what it cost them in the London match: “Generally when you get into a situation like in the ‘windows’, you don’t have enough time to work together. We had 2-3 days of training, you can’t find chemistry, it’s too many things. I don’t consider them an excuse, but everything plays its role. When you go in for the national team, you don’t care about the opponent, you only think about victory. We managed to get a big lead in the 1st half, relaxed in the 2nd, England took advantage of that, that’s why we struggled and didn’t get the win, which didn’t happen at home. You have to be focused for 40 minutes when you want to win and that’s how it happened. All the teams are very good and dangerous, they have talent, so you have to be focused, look at yourself and get the required energy to win every match.”

For the next two matches in February, with the Czech Republic away (21/02) and the Netherlands at home (24/02): “We had won in Holland, but that doesn’t mean anything. Each game is completely different, we must face it with the same seriousness and energy, we must all be together to get the victory. If you underestimate any team it will be a huge mistake. The mentality we have in the National Team is that every game for us is like a final and we want to win it, regardless of the opponent”.

For the different faces in the Men’s National Team: “There are many children who can help the National Team, each time they are different people. This needs a continuation, all groups to help the children take time, play, gain experiences and slowly with hard work, manage to make their dream come true. For every athlete, playing in the national team is a dream”.

For Kostas Papanikolaou: “He is an example for the little ones, for us, for everyone. He is an amazing player and an amazing character, who definitely sets an example for everyone what the National Team means and how he deals with this whole situation.”

On how he experienced his participation in the Men’s National Team: “It’s a terrible feeling. When you play for the national team and wear the national emblem, it’s something very special. I feel so good, I feel blessed to be able to live this thing. Seeing little kids clapping for you and thinking that they want to play basketball and look like you or one of your teammates is really awesome.”

As for whether it gives them extra motivation that EuroBasket 2025 will take place in Cyprus: “This is definitely motivation. However, every game is completely different, you can’t think too much afterwards, you have to think about the next match, win it in order to secure qualification”.

On whether there’s a favorite based on what he’s seen so far: “I managed to see a bit of Serbia and Lithuania which are very good teams. There is no weak group. In a situation like that of the “windows”, every team is dangerous and can win. I don’t think many words are needed in such situations, only actions. To enter the field, to prove, to give 100% and your only goal should be victory”.