By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos is gearing up for “A Moment to Remember” and celebrating the career of Giorgos Printezis in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF, on Friday.
Launching the event, guests, including several players, gathered on Thursday evening.
Playing alongside Printezis between 2018 and 2022, Sasha Vezenkov recalled taking over the power forward position at Olympiacos.
“When it was time for me to step forward, he did not stand in my way,” he thanked his former teammate, “He wanted what was best for me.”
“He did not care about himself but about the team. I am blessed to have played alongside him. As an opponent, he was among the toughest,” mentioned 29-year-old Vezenkov.
“I have learned a lot from him, but one specific learning still stands out, having to attack first,” he added, “Even if the opponent is better than you or the best player of the other team, he must guard you. So, you must attack first. I have kept that. Like much else about life.”.
“He constantly avoided me”
A teammate from 2011 to 2021, Vassilis Spanoulis also discussed his relationship with Printezis.
“One thing I will say is that he constantly avoided me because I would talk to him about basketball,” he said, “We were great together. The most important is that we build a lifetime relationship through basketball, which we will have forever. For me, he was the ideal teammate and partner on the court.”
Amid preparations for the new season, including the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, “A Moment to Remember” additionally features a prep game for the team coached by Giorgos Bartzokas against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.