By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
One of the most interesting games of the 3rd round of the Eurobasket 2017 qualifiers takes place in Tbilisi, between hosting team Georgia and Montenegro. Among other things, it includes a highly anticipated “battle of the giants” matchup with a taste from the NBA, between Georgia’s captain Zaza Pachulia and Montenegro star Nikola Vucevic.
“It’s different when playing on the national team from our games in the NBA because players have different roles, you play alongside different players, in different systems, European basketball is different in general,” said Pachulia in an interview for FIBA. “Playing against Nikola is going to be fun, two quality big men going against each other, but at the same time this is a team sport, it’s all about the team. He is a great player, he’s proven it through these years but here we’re both going to try help our team win this game.”
The Golden State Warriors center also talked about how crucial is the game of his country’s national team vs the Montenegrin one. After all, both teams have gotten off to a 2-0 start in the qualifiers. “Obviously with a win we would make a big, huge step towards qualifying for next year’s EuroBasket.”, he commented. “We should defend our home court and take care of business. We need to play smart, help each other both offensively and defensively. It’s not going to be an easy game but like I said playing at home should be in our favour, so I am really looking forward to it.”
Pachulia and his Georgian mates perform under the guidance of Greek head coach Ilias Zouros who succeeded Igor Kokoskov in the helm of the national team. “Coach Zouros it is obviously a different style, there is a learning process and you can always learn something new, it is the little details that make a difference in your game. He is very experienced, he has coached very good teams throughout his career and it’s fun to play for him. He cares about defense and he is a players’ coach, he is close to the guys and he wants to win. Hopefully we can succeed and make it back to the EuroBasket again.”
His devotion in the national team is absolutely unquestionable. “It’s always fun for me to represent my country by playing for the national team. It is a huge honor and responsibility and these people have given me so much throughout the years, so it is a sort of payback. Representing the country, winning games, going to EuroBasket is a huge deal because every success matters for our country. So it is huge responsibility for me as the captain for the team and one of the leaders and I take it very seriously.”