By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former players and current managerial members of the Greek national team, Nikos Zisis and Dimos Dikoudis are expected to meet this week with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee to discuss their participation in this summer’s EuroBasket. Newly-appointed Greece head coach Dimitris Itoudis has already talked to Giannis on the subject.
Antetokounmpo, 27, has seemed willing to play for Greece this summer. He represented the country for the first time back in 2013 as a member of the U-20 squad. His debut with the senior team followed one year later in the 2014 World Cup. Additional commitments stretch from the 2015 EuroBasket and the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Turin to the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Overall, he has averaged 11.7 points per contest through 49 appearances.
The Greek Freak missed the 2017 EuroBasket due to a knee injury. His brother, Thanasis was present in 2017 having made his way to all major international tournaments from 2016 to 2019. He has put in 5.8 points per game.
The preliminary round of the 2022 EuroBasket features Greece in Group C. From September 2 to 8, the Greek national team is scheduled to face Croatia, Italy, Great Britain, Ukraine, and Estonia in Milan aiming to clinch a berth in the knockout stage set to be held in Berlin. The gold medal game is slated for September 18.
Undoubtedly, the Milwaukee Bucks stars would boost hopes for an extended run. An early start to the preparations for the collision of the best European national teams, the offseason schedule includes a couple of 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers fixtures as well. Greece is set to host Great Britain and visit Belarus on June 30 and July 3, respectively.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL