By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
One day after CSKA Moscow defeated Panathinaikos OPAP in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 13, the head coach of the Russian side Dimitris Itoudis was the guest of the Greek-based Eurohoops LIVE Show podcast streamed Friday. The Greek tactician walked through the recent negotiations held in Russia’s capital regarding him potentially being named head coach of the Greece senior national team.
“I have nothing to hide. I am honored that Vangelis Liolios [recently elected as president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation] has chosen me to take over,” he stated. “Him coming here [in Moscow] was a very positive step. Various topics were discussed with Andrey Vatutin [CSKA Moscow president]. Everybody’s input is necessary for basketball to move forward.”
Itoudis, 51, had previously confirmed talks with the Greek federation were underway. The latest step involved his team at the club level in the ongoing discussions.
“We indeed talked and have approached negotiations with a positive attitude,” Itoudis added, “Time will tell whether the future holds an agreement.”
Under the guidance of Savvas Kamberidis versus Great Britain and Sotiris Manolopoulos against Belarus, the qualifying squad began the six-game double-legged round-robin schedule at 1-1 in Group B of the European Qualifiers through the recent FIBA international window. The top three teams will advance and the 12 European tickets to the final stage will become available in the next round.
“We can wish good luck to the national team in the Qualifiers. The results over the first two rounds proved anything can happen,” explained Itoudis, “Every member of the team is doing an exceptional job of managing extremely stressful situations. We showed promise even against Great Britain. Players jelling in these circumstances can be complicated. Congratulations across the board. Everything will work out all right.”
Provided Greece will get the job done and clinch a berth to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, more players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, will potentially make their way to the tournament, set to be hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10, 2023.
The approaching summer will feature the 2022 EuroBasket with Greece among the 24 qualified national teams. Under the head coach not yet appointed, the national team will face Italy, Croatia, Ukraine, Great Britain, and Estonia in Group C of the preliminary round scheduled to be played in Milan.