Koniaris: “PAOK is my second home, grateful to return”

It was July 2011, such days 14 years ago, when the 14 -year -old then Antonis Koniaris He first hit his foot at PAOK Sports Arena. He had come with his family from Chania, looking for a summer campaign to show his skills and spend time with what he loved so much, basketball.

Did not just participate in the second season of the summer camp PAOKbut he became the most valuable player.

Was not just awarded as MVP of the Camp but got his award from the legend of European basketball Barlowone of the top players in his story PAOKwho had come to Thessaloniki at that time.

“PAOK is a great team, everyone knows this, but for me it is more. It’s my second home. Here I grew up and became a man, I am glad to see many faces again I know and have worked in the past. I am thrilled by the fact that this environment that has always existed in PAOK, this family atmosphere is always here. I think it’s the perfect environment to play basketball »stressed Antonis Koniaris And he referred to PAOK President Mateco Thanassis Hatzopoulos:

“I know the president, I remember him for a long time before he even got that position. He was always next to the team. I am glad that it is leading this PAOK effort, I am glad that the team is out of health. This is something that all basketball people know. I am really happy and grateful to return to PAOK team. The truth is that I was thinking about it for a long time, we had previously had discussions about this possibility, I’m glad now the time has come to return. “

All for some reason is happening and the Antonis Koniaris Since 2011, he has been briefly in the PAOK infrastructure departments and a year later, in the summer of 2012, at the age of 15, participated in the PAOK off season program. The same program also passed professional players looking for an opportunity to play in A1, including Vangelis Margaritisonly his own presence seemed to be for formal reasons, as procedures for joining PAOK had already been launched. Margaritis entered PAOK’s life immediately and a year later, at the 2013-14 season, Margaritis and Koniaris competed together in PAOK’s game with Colossus.

“We never stopped having contact with Vangelis. I am glad to have returned and will have him next to me, as are the rest of the ran. It is a little strange that Vangelis will not be in the parquet, because for me, every time I see him, I remember a European game with Nante, who had won with his own shot in the dead time and I feel like that, I have to run to hug him to celebrate. “says Koniaris and comments on the contact he had with his new coach … “We talked to the ZDOVC coach. We had a very nice communication. I think I can do what he will ask for and I look forward to starting our cooperation. “

As far as the new season and expectations Where are there? “We have a great season ahead of us, we start with the qualifiers, where we will have to make three wins to get through, so I have to make sure to be physically and spiritually ready for the first challenge of the season,” commented Antonis Koniaris, and closes with a reference to the pitch and closes with a reference to the pitch. Atmosphere and it was my mind that it would be me to be there too. I wanted to live it again and I’m glad to have this opportunity again with PAOK fans on my side. “