Mitoglou: “There is no plan b, only a victory in the Czech Republic-I lose nothing of the Eurobasket”

THE Dinos Mitoglou doesn’t even think about the second chance to qualify for Eurobasket In the match against the Netherlands on Monday in Patras and wants to get rid of Friday in the Czech Republic. His power forward Panathinaikos He enjoys his presence in the national team and makes it clear that he is not losing the Eurobasket. In detail the interview with FIBA:

-If you deal with social media at all, did you see the posts from FIBA ​​and Euroleague for the “double jersey” project? If so, how did it look to you?

“I saw it, yes! It looked very nice to me. Beautiful … “.

-Is it probably ours… “This is why we play”?

“Yes. That’s it. Exactly that. Play for your team and at the same time for your country. To represent your country because you love it and at the same time love basketball. It is great to see this photo posted by FIBA ​​and the Euroleague with a double jersey. I really liked it. I would like to be in (laughing). It is partly a depiction of your effort. In a light they look everything. For who you are and where you are. Where do you belong. It’s very beautiful. ”

-Some kids in Spain and Serbia, making statements about their presence at the National, said that some people feel they are returning to their family and some that look like you are going on holiday, in the sense that it is a very pleasant time to discharge … Do you feel something similar?

“Sure. I am very pleased to see young children joining the National Team and recognize their talent. We are very happy to have them with us. I am also very happy because with most children, whether we have been together for the last 5-6 years or grew up together. With George Papagiannis we have been the same generation and we have been playing together since 2011. It’s 14 whole years. With Vassilis Toliopoulos the same. We are at the same age, this is the beautiful in national teams. To represent her proudly and at the same time to be again with children with whom you have been in your life, you have lived great times and the national team gave us the opportunity to find us all again. As for the holiday feeling, who said it? ”

Davidovac! In Serbia … He characteristically said that it is spiritually as if I was on vacation …

“I totally understand him. And he said it because you are leaving a reality, you eliminate all the stress you have with your team and enter a habit that is completely different. The stadium, the teammates, the coaches, and even the ball are all different. And you spend 10 days with people who have been tied up but you are not often presented with the opportunity to be with them, but you have common goals and dreams for the national team, who It’s something very special for everyone. With all these kids you have gone through so many situations and you are given the opportunity to remember them and create even more. It is very beautiful what Davidovac said. Okay, I might not call it a vacation, but you get out of a routine and the feeling is completely different. ”

-Do you feel that you have a little bit in the middle of a very painful season?

“I’ll tell you. It is true that the games are too many and the stress is too great for everyone. And don’t forget that the cup has preceded it. But I would say that while there are tiring so many games in the season, we have many weeks with double games in the Euroleague, but I personally don’t lose my excitement when I come to the National and play with these kids. I’m really happy. In any case I weigh the situations and as long as my body is well I will always be here to help the National. So I believe that all children should do, weigh their body and when they feel good coming and playing for the national team. The games, however, are too many and I think more are coming. Definitely something has to be done for that. ”

-The fact that this time there were no Euroleague struggles is as liberating as it sounds?

“Yes … yes it is very much. It is very important to be focused on a goal. Now you are with the National Team and it is the only one to concern us. You don’t think about the Euroleague at all. Every time this happens it is as if you see a cloud going further, moving away, allowing you to be focused on the goals with the national team. It’s like taking exams in two lessons within a few days. You have to read about both together. While when you give a lesson and the next one is later, your mind is absolutely clean. It’s very liberating. ”

-How is it to play in the windows and have a very intense racing interest in making a win in two games to achieve your goal? Greece in the windows, in the last two races, didn’t have many similar experiences?

“A very nice question. He must always be motivated. Whatever happens. Both the coach and the players are here: to win. You always want to win. But the fact that we need a victory, raises adrenaline even more, makes us even more passionate and there is only one thing in our minds: a victory in the Czech Republic. There is nothing else. Let’s go there to win without having in mind that we will have another chance with the Netherlands in Patras. It is a great feeling to play in front of your world, in a sold out game, because I am sure that in Patras the stadium will be full, but to remind you that it was the same in the Czech SEF. You saw a stadium full of, dressed in blue whites and listened to the anthem of basketball in Greece, the Final Countdown and the National Anthem. It was such a beautiful feeling and even in front of old players in the national team. It was fantastic this setting. So yes, there may be the … plan b if things are not going well in the Czech Republic, but I don’t even want to think about it. There is no plan b, but only Plan A: Victory in the Czech Republic! And that alone. End”.

-Eurobs will you be?

“If I’m in good health and I have no problems on my body, I don’t lose it with anything.”