By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Greek national team head coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos expects injured guard Kostas Sloukas to recover in time to play in World Cup’s Group Stage (31/8 – 15/9).
Sloukas, who suffered a calf strain in a preparation game of Greece against Italy (16/8), didn’t fly with the rest of the team to China, Wednesday (21/8) but may join the squad afterward, if his health status allows it.
“The news is very encouraging,” Skourtopoulos said during the departure of the Greek national team for China. “The MRI results were really, really good. We stick to our plan and at 26 of August, we will have a much clearer picture. If things are how the doctors present them, then we have no reason to doubt that Kostas will be with us. If it is necessary to sacrifice a game, then this will happen as well. I don’t think anything more will be needed. Now, sacrificing the whole Group phase? The point is what the doctors will tell us and if he will be 100% ready. Kostas’ health will always be a priority. We want for our job to be done in the best way possible, but, on the other hand, Kostas must be 100% ready to help.”
After Sloukas’ injury, it was decided that the All-EuroLeague guard will stay in Athens for his condition to be evaluated in order to be determined if he will be able to join the national team later.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis Bourousis, Nick Calathes, Antonis Koniaris, Giannoulis Larentzakis, George Papagiannis, Kostas Papanikolaou, Ioannis Papapetrou, Giorgos Printezis, Panagiotis Vassilopoulos and Vangelis Mantzaris are the 12 players that traveled to China.