Papadopoulos: “The kids are thirsty and want to achieve something big in their home country”

OR Young Men’s National is getting ready to be thrown into the arena of Eurobasket U20to be hosted 12 to July 20 to Heraklion.

The team’s coach, Kostas Papadopoulos‘Hosted’ to Eok Webradio and shared his last thoughts just before the first jump In the tournament.

In detail what he said:

For the situation in which the group is located: “We’re fine. Today (11/07) we will do the last workout. I think children are very aware. They are looking forward to starting tomorrow. On the health issue, Stefanos Spartalis is a little suffering, the rest are healthy. But I also believe that Stefanos is also something that will overcome it and be ready tomorrow. “

For the “thirst” of children for distinction: “They are definitely ‘thirsty’ and want to achieve something very big in their home country. The 2006 “batch” is a “batch” that had some misfortunes last year, but she has been persuaded and wants to live a distinction. 2005, on the other hand, because they lived it last year, they “tasted” and liked it, they want to repeat it. They know that if we are landing and playing as a team, which is the most important, it will become good. All of these children have a terrible talent and a very strong personality and have realized that in order to go well and move on and they will have to put their “ego” under the whole. Health to have and everything will go well. “

On how difficult it was to choose the final dozen: “We have the absence of Abosi due to injury and Chikoudis did not come from last year’s team. He wanted a lot, but because of obligations because he changed college he couldn’t attend. It is also a great loss for us, a child who has the experience of last year. It was very difficult to choose the final dozen. It was a “headache”, because everyone showed their best character, they gave them all and every time we were choosing it was … suffering. Unfortunately this was the process and we couldn’t do otherwise. “

For the height in the roster: “Mostly we kept the taller children because as we play it doesn’t get the ball only a kid. Anyone who gets the rebound, if it has the technical training and can lower the ball. The center may not be able to download it. Maybe it can, we just don’t. All children download. This means that we become faster in attack and helps us not have so many problems as in previous years with rebounds. Rimboud control is one of the most important pieces to stay in the game. This year we will be much better there. “

For his own feelings in relation to this year’s Eurobasket and the previous two hits with bronze medals: “I’m excited I would say. I’m looking forward to getting started. Each event is completely different, you have completely different kids. Because all children have made tremendous sacrifices, I want to do well to justify these children for the sacrifices they have made. “

For the target in the tournament: “For themselves the kids, but also me, we have the first goal of reaching high, repeat or do something better than previous years. The tallest goal always comes in. “

For the Group of Greece: “It is our group, but, for me, they do not play a role. We have to see each match separately. And last year our group was difficult, but we managed to win the 1st of the other group. Also, the 1st of our group came out of the cross -match. The games are so continuous that you need to control your feelings. This is the first thing we say to children. You have to go a match with a concentrated race. “

For the premiere with Lithuania: “Every premiere has its own peculiarities. Especially with Lithuania, which is traditionally a power in European basketball. We will not change anything in our own game. We will go to the fast pace, to the harsh defense, to be compact in front and back. I think that if we control rebounds and we are concentrated we will have no problem. We also want to have the power of the world, to become our 6th player, because, if the world comes and gets energy into the stand, it will also pass on to the children in the parquet. It will give us extra power. I believe this will happen, because we have already embraced us from the beginning of preparation until now. “

For groups that stand out in the tournament: “There are absences in the teams. Of course there are traditional strong groups. France is strong, Spain, Lithuania, but there are no favorites in these events. Last year, no one expected that Slovenia would lose to France, the previous one did not expect Israel. It has to do with how “tied” the team will stay, to be healthy and what pace children will have at this time. “