UNICEF Trophy: Mykonos-Megarida and Aegaleo-Papagou the semi-finals

The draw for the Final 4 of the UNICEF Trophy, which will take place on December 27 and 28 at the Glyfada Indoor Stadium, revealed an early final.

The champion of the Elite League Mykonos will face the second Megaridos Youth Centerwhile o Papagou will face the only National League 1 team, the Egaleo.

The semi-finals will take place on December 27 and the final on December 28. The team that wins the title will take part in February at Final 8 of the Cup along with the top seven Stoiximan GBL ranked teams in the first round of the league. Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Prometheus and Karditsa have already qualified, while six teams, PAOK, AEK, Peristeri, Lavrio, Panionios and Aris are vying for three more “tickets”.

The Final 4 matches will take place at D.A.K. Glyfadas “M. Liugas”, while the final will be held on Saturday, December 28 and will be televised by ERT 2.

The Final 4 schedule in detail:

Friday, December 27

Semifinals

Game A: 17.00 Mykonos-NE Megaridos

Match B: 20.30 Papagou-Aegaleo

Saturday, December 28

Final

19.00 Winner A-Winner B

The statements

Lampros Takis (EEC Secretary General): “Today is a special day. The UNICEF Trophy Final 4 has now become an institution with teams watching it with interest and motivation for the Elite League and National League 1. The fact that clubs from all divisions can go as far as winning the special trophy has given them motivation and thrust. We wish for a celebratory final four and may the best man win.”

Nikos Nikolopoulos (Chairman of the EEC Championships Committee): “I congratulate the teams that made it to the third UNICEF Trophy and wish success, health and the best to all.”

Hassan Khalil (Diplomatic Representative of UNICEF): “It is an honor to celebrate the excellent partnership with UNICEF and EEC in the third year of the event. It is a shining example of how sport can bring us together and bring positive changes to society. We combine the passion for sports with the purpose of protecting children. Sport unites communities for a common vision, is a powerful tool to overcome obstacles and create a safe environment for all. It emphasizes the urgent need that exists for the well-being of children in a supportive community. This year, together with the EEC, we have also planned a series of visits to all the academies, in order to talk and discuss all these issues. We congratulate the EEC and its leadership, Mr. Liolio and his team for their dedication to this cause. A movement like this inspires, educates and advocates for society. We join forces to create a brighter future for every child. I congratulate the teams that made it to the Final 4 and wish them the best of luck!”

Giorgos Mantalos (Coach NE Megaridos): “We are proud as an organization to be in the Final 4 for the second time in a row. It hurt us last year when we came close to winning but didn’t make it to the title. We stand with great respect towards the other three teams and I will give Mykonos the title of favourite. On the other hand, these games are Final 4 games, you never know what’s going to happen. All teams have a 25% chance. The captain had said that we will play against Mykonos. To get the trophy you have to play against Mykonos. If we win in the semi-final, we will be close. And I’ll say it again, always with respect and appreciation for the three teams. I wish we can live again these very beautiful feelings with the people in the stands. Both the Elite League and the National League teams, I believe that we show that we are all friends with each other, coaches and players are friends and that the world understands that this is how we should face the games and with this attitude we will go to the Final 4 ».

Angelos Gatzias (Head of NE Megaridos): “The fact that we have come this far again is not evidence in itself. It was our goal to reach the Final 4 again this year. Beyond the championship of course, where we want to finish as high as possible. Last year we missed the chance to win the trophy in the details in the match against Panionios. This year we are here again and we are proud happy. I’d like to think last year’s experience will help, but in these one off races it’s always about the day, luck and the situation you’re in. The goal for all teams is to win the trophy.”

Vangelis Ziagos (Coach of Mykonos): “We would very much like to be with you, but unfortunately our competitive obligations do not allow us to do so. Thank you for your understanding and the ability to communicate even with the help of technology. We are especially happy and proud to be in the Final 4, which was a goal set from the beginning of the season. We want this event to be a point of reference. The Final 4 and the connection to the Final 8 gives extra motivation. We wish good success to everyone and to give a very nice spectacle to those who watch the games and the event”.

Petros Melissaratos (Chief of Mykonos): “It is a great opportunity for us to be in the Final 4. The people here in Mykonos have put in a lot of effort to achieve our goals. It is a great joy for us to be in the top four to claim the trophy and to give joy to the people who have brought us to the island that loves us and has embraced us.”

Fotis Karakostas (Coach Papagou): “The truth is that until today I haven’t had time to think, as I imagine the other coaches and players have, about the Final 4. There are still obligations in the league and two matches until we play in Glyfada. Coming here, trying to take the emotion out of the Elite League and turn to the UNICEF Trophy, I will say it’s a celebration, it’s a joy, it’s an honor and we’re proud as a club to be here. In the semi-final, in a single game, we will face Egaleo, a team that plays in National League 1 and has had an excellent run. I think the winner from our own game will play their chances in the final. Although the cup is an organization of surprises. Basketball is a fair sport and the best usually wins.”

Renos Balos (Chief Papagou): “This participation is a challenge and a great honor for all four teams. However, the fact that the team that wins the UNICEF Trophy will play against a team from A1 is also a motivation. This in itself gives them great motivation to all the teams and all the players who will be in Glyfada”.

Alexis Papadatos (Egaleo Coach): “It is logical that because we are from a lower class we are labeled as outsiders. In a Final 4, however, everything happens. We are a new team at all levels. We treated the first games of the Greek Cup as strong friendlies, we knocked out two teams from the Elite League and it is a great motivation for the children and for the club to get the win. We would like to play well, in a game anything can happen. In a series of games it would be more difficult to pull off a surprise. In a single game, psychology, fatigue, the situation a team can find themselves in play a role and anything can happen. I wish all the teams to reach the end without problems and with all the players healthy.”

Fotis Vassilopoulos (Head of Egaleo): “We treated the cup games as friendly, as the coach said, but eating opens up the appetite. When we saw the schedule and saw that we have home games, despite the fact that we were facing teams from the Elite League, we said that we will go in to have fun and of course win. It’s true that you can’t think long term as they said. We still have one matchday of the league ahead of us and then a week to prepare for the semi-final. The format of the Cup is very nice. I hope all the players are healthy and the stadium is full and everyone enjoys it in a nice atmosphere.”