President of the Cyprus Basketball Federation: “We wanted to help Greece climb the podium – We celebrated the bronze”

The 2025 Eurobasket was completed, with Greece conquering the bronze medal In Riga. Before being there, however, our national team was at Limassolwhere her group took place in the event.

THE Andreas MouzouridisPresident of the Cyprus Basketball Federation, spoke to EEC Webradio For her pride Cypruswhich received the international credit for a group, but also for the great importance of the sport in this country.

At the same time, he stressed that in Cyprus the bronze medal of the “blue whites” was celebrated as Greece.

In detail what he said:

For the organization of the Group in Limassol: “It was something we had been discussing for years when we had the privilege of assigning us a Eurobasket group. On February 4, the President of the Republic granted a dinner marking about 120 days before the start of Eurobasket, in the presence of several FIBA ​​Europe officials and friend and brother EEC President Vangelis Lioliou and Dinos. In one position I had said “from Limassol, on the pedestal of Riga”. This has become a reality and it makes us happy twice. “

For feelings after assigning Eurobasket Group and aspirations: “To be perfectly honest, we didn’t expect that we would have this huge outcome. We knew that our venture would be successful, because we believed in us and our abilities, we wanted it very much. We had the great “teammate” next to us, the Cypriot government, who believed in it, such as Mr. Christodoulides. We did not expect this great area that would get the result we presented. Congratulations to the big team we had from the General Manager to the Organizing Committee and our volunteers, who were there to facilitate those who worked or participated in the big Eurobasket celebration. What excited us the most is the excitement that prevailed for 10 days in the public of Cyprus. “

For FIBA’s view of the organization of Cyprus: “You are more experienced than me and know these processes firsthand. That they make no discount on Europe’s biggest event and that nothing is given. We had to overcome too many obstacles to get here. Mr. Novak and Mr. Zaglis were in the positions that are now in 2021 that we have requested to assign a group and started the processes and the original idea. They knew our mood to move on to the processes, and with their own eyes the stadium. Mr. Garbachosa was then president of the Spanish Federation, and we talked with him during his campaign campaign when he claimed the position of FIBA ​​Europe president, he also came to Cyprus to see the stadium. Thank you very much because everyone believed and took a risk. The two high -ranking officials took a risk for a small population country and basketball, it is not bad to say. We are fighting in the 3rd and the second category, depending on the years. They also put “back” because they believed in us personally and in the vision. I’m not surprised that they are proud, it was a big bet for them too. Why not from tomorrow and other countries with the same status to claim and dare what Cyprus has claimed? “

For the imprint of Eurobasket in the future improvement of Cypriot basketball: “Did anyone think that the Cyprus National Team would be so competitive in Eurobasket? The opposing countries also recognized it. This is the biggest success of the team. Our athletes came out to win. The recognition comes first from the outside and then from the inside. This was also evident in the national team’s medal with the bad criticism that took place after the fight with Turkey. Some have zeroed Greece’s effort. Participation helped a lot. They saw level players who were constantly competitive and that gave them motivation to be as competitive as they could. Every day they became better. With National Greece and Italy we played quite well, these are the benefits we see. With the example of competitiveness and how we approach a high competition game, players and the technical staff will transfer it to their clubs and create a culture and a mentality. Will change over time. All that they lived, if they stay in basketball after finishing their career from administrative positions, will convey the know -how they received. Thousands of children lived these 10 days and saw how the international players played.

No one left earlier, they were paying all the players. It takes a lot of work to capitalize on what we lived and we are ready. We inherited a “ornament” stadium from the Cypriot government that has nothing to envy from other major European stadiums. The “cherry” in “cake” was Greece’s victory over Spain in the group on a crowded stadium, in all the games we had 7,000 people. This is what we say and we mean that we wanted from Cyprus to help Greece climb the podium. This trip with Cyprus has been completed with Greece working brotherly and exchange views on how to get to this result. We all celebrated the bronze medal together on Sunday afternoon. I want to dwell on the malicious criticism of the world before Eurobasket. If you were asking someone before the start of Eurobasket if the national team would win a medal, they would make it crazy. We must always have patience in sports, we must not reset any efforts. “