By Rigas Dardalis/ dardalis@eurohoops.net
Fotis Katsikaris was the top choice of the Greek federation for the bench of the national team, before the Russian offer, but now it seems that the successor of Ilias Zouros will not be a Greek coach. Spaniard Joan Plaza of Zalgiris Kaunas is now on the forefront and the initial contact with him was made by the Greek side some days before. The federation president George Vasilakopoulos has clarified that the new coach of the Greek NT will have a part time job and the Catalan seems to be the most appealing candidate on his list. Of course, in order for the deal to be completed, Plaza should get the clearance from Zalgiris‘ owner Vladimir Romanov if order to accept the Greek offer and also comply with the offer’s conditions.
Slovenian Jure Zdovc is also on the list, but the possibility of hiring David Blatt now seems a long shot. Macabbi Tel Aviv’s coach doesn’t like the idea of working next summer for a national team, unless an exceptional financial offer comes his way and the Greek federation isn’t willing to do something like that.
Τhe only Greek candidate remains Panagiotis Giannakis, who has the support of NT’s manager Giorgos Kolokithas.