By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
Greece has gotten to the FIBA World Cup podium only once (Japan, 2006, silver) but their hopes are high as they travel to China led by the reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo who will also have his brothers Thanasis and Kostas nearby:
“I feel great, it’s an amazing feeling to represent my country again after two years. It’s a great thing to have my siblings next to me in the training camp”, Giannis said.
Coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos has been very proud of the national team in the past couple of years: “You all know that we started an effort two years ago in an unprecedented situation. We decided to create a group of 35 players and after two years I can say that the program has succeeded. Everyone who was called has really helped, and today we are all happy to be here. We have a great group and great characters. We are embarking on this journey and hope to have your positive aura to succeed.”
The 35-year-old veteran Ioannis Borousis noted that there is some pressure to succeed and hopes they will be ready for it: “The training camp started, our job is on the court and we will do our best. There’s anxiety because the team has to step up and do something good. We have not won a medal for the last 10 years, so let’s hope to be healthy and do something good”