By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Georgia can be considered a dark horse for a place at least in the quarterfinals and after that, everything is possible. For the moment, Pachulia wants to get back on track, as he told to FIBA.com.
“I am now focused on getting into game shape. I didn’t have much time to practice with the team and even though I know the players, the system, and the coach, it will still take time to get the feel back,” the star big man said. “I’m no longer a youngster to start everything from scratch, I’ll play it smart. I know my game, I know what we need and the steps needed to get there.”
“Our group at the FIBA EuroBasket is not an easy, but it’s a very balanced one,” Pachulia said of Group B, featuring Lithuania, Italy, Germany, Ukraine and the Group Phase hosts Israel. “Unfortunately, we won’t have Viktor Sanikidze and that is a big loss for us, but basketball is a team sport and we’ll try to make it up with reinforcements.”
Another important piece Georgia will be missing is Beka Burjanadze, who couldn’t complete his recovery on his right knee fast enough to be of service for his country in September. Still, Zaza and Georgia aim high. “Our goal is to have our best-ever performance in the FIBA EuroBasket and be prepared for every day. We are not looking at the names we are playing against. We will be focused on ourselves and we’ll go out to win every single game and hopefully have the best FIBA EuroBasket for us”.