By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
In most cases Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are rivals. However they both agree that the upcoming changes in the Euroleague will be in favor of the sport and the competition in the old continent.
Vasilis Spanoulis and Giorgos Printezis, two times Euroleague champions with the Reds, are ready for the new format and a “real” league format in which all teams will face each other. As Giorgos Printezis said: “It is a very positive development for the sport, and it proves that the value of European basketballis getting greater over time. I am sure that the new model will support the growth of European clubs, help them raise the bar, and move one step toward NBA standards”.
Spanoulis expects a “true championship: “Any investments that may help the advancement of the game and increase the revenues of the clubs are more than welcomed and desirable. As far as the competition is concerned, I believe that we will see a more competitive league, a true championship of the European basketball clubs, where every single match will be very tough and have significance. This will definitely raise up the competition and increase the interest of the fans”.
Aleksandar Djordjevic also welcomes the change: “Whatever has to do with the development of European basketball is good for all of us. It doesn’t matter who is organizing the competition. This is not so important. The most important thing in this situation is to bring more good players on the court because fans want to enjoy every moment in the arena and this happens only if they are seeing great players compete. So the players are the main product. They are the center. We are accessories. And I believe that this situation that I described is win-win for all of us”.
Vlado Jankovic seems to be more sceptical but the bottom line is once again positive: “There isn’t so much to say at this moment. It is too early and we are still playing this season. But I have to say that as a player, I support all the efforts related with the development of basketball. We want to play in a high-class competition because it is good for all of us: for players, for coaches, for fans, for every administration, for the referees”.