By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Many believe in rationalism the way Homer formulate it for the first time. “Each one is responsible for his actions” and that means our life is shaped by each one of us. However, there’s an other version of things, just letting life guide you, no matter what you are planning for yourself.
In the case of our hero, Sofoklis Shortsanitis, as it turned out his promised land is Israel and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Like in the recent past, during the 2010-11 season, the Greek center has a solid year, missing just one Euroleague game, and he is preparing for the 4th Final Four of his career, which is also the 2nd with the Israelis.
This time he is also a dad and Big Sofo was eager to speak with Eurohoops about his chemistry with coach Blatt, his karmic relationship with Maccabi, the semifinal game against CSKA Moscow, the love of the fans, the way he left from Panathinaikos and he is ready to play for the Greek national team, if he is called.
And above all he has a wish: “May I stay forever in Maccabi Tel Aviv!”
“Every one treats me like I am their child”
It’s obvious that under coach Blatt, Sofo is demonstrating his best game constantly, despite some arguments and some “disagreements” that may have been caught on camera. “We have a great understanding with coach Blatt. Τhat’s the most important thing, despite some disagreements that may arise. When there’s will to win and high tension, something like this may happen. He is always demanding. During our video sessions he points your mistakes and he has his own charismatic way to show you what to do and what not. He gets from every player the best he can and he knows how to motivate me”.
After all is Maccabi Sofo’s basketball destiny? “That I don’t know! But, when I am here, I feel happy. I have a great time. I didn’t expected to leave after my first year with the team. However I did left. I couldn’t do much about it. This time I have a contract for next season. My wish is to stay. To tell you the truth my wish is to stay here forever. That’s what I want”.
This kind of sentiments have also to do with the way he is treated by the fans of Maccabi. “They treat me like I am their child. I have felt so much love! I feel it even when I am on the street. Even in the way they approach me and they treat my kids. I believe that it’s something spontaneous for them. That’s why they give me an extra push to try even more. Nokia Arena and Maccabi’s fans are one of a kind. They deeply love the team. If it’s not the best home court crowd in Europe, then they are among to top3. Their passion makes dive on the floor for every ball”.
Did Sofo expected that a turbulent season will lead him and Maccabi to the Final Four: “It was a very hard season. We had many problems in the start. We lost many games in our domestic league, even at home. It was strange, but through adversity we got better and we got tougher. We have a great roster. We may not have super stars, or super scorers, but we are a real team and we are united”.
“Different style, the key is the rythm”
Μaccabi’s center knows pretty well that the semifinal game against CSKA Moscow of coach Messina, who has a long winning tradition against coach Blatt, will not be easy… “It will be really hard. They have a great front line and many big bodies. We have many good players in our team, but with no Final Four experience. What matters the most is to be calm and play our best basketball. In the last two games against EA7 Milano we proved ourselves as a defensive team. I have played many times against the players which will be my opponents at Milan. I have to do what I can, everything less will be a problem for the team which expects much from me”, says Sofo who knows that he will get a boost from the crowd.
“It will be great to have so much fans! It will boost our confidence and our focus. I hope that it will not also bring us anxiety. The semifinal will be a very demanding game and CSKA Moscow plays a different brand of basketball compared to us. The team which will impose its rhythm will be the favorite. We have less experience, but we play for a team with great tradition. I am sure that coach Blatt will work with us in the next days and prepare us for the little details. Don’t forget that CSKA has also a great backcourt. Milos (ed.note: Teodosic) is really dangerous. We have been teammates and I know. Jackson is having a great season and Weems does the same. Specially Weems is great on one on one situations. Of course, we have Devin Smith on our side who is also great. The start of the game can be crucial”.
Fouls and Panathinaikos
Sofoklis still tries not to get into foul trouble and get upset when the referees punish him for his strength.”I have to learn to live with this. It’s frustrating, but I have to manage. The more I am on the court, the easiest I can avoid fouls”.
In his only season with Panathinaikos, he started great, the team won the double, but in the end he left the team. Sofo explains the situation: “At some point I just stopped playing. I didn’t have the same role on the team. Our game changed. At the start I was posting up very often. Then we turned to a pick and roll team using two great pick and roll players, Lasme and Gist. It was also something that helped Dimitris (ed.note: Diamantidis) to get better rhythm. At least, I finally won the Greek championship title. It was a successful season. I wanted to stay, also for personal reasons, but all is well when it ends well. I returned to Maccabi”.
“I was annoyed in 2011, but I am available”
Via Eurohoops Shortsanitis explains the current state of his relationship with the Greek national team:”If they call me, I want to be on the team. When I wasn’t there, it wasn’t because I wanted to go on vacations. I was working with my personal trainer, Kostas Chatzichristos. Every summer, the last 3 or 4 years. Thank God now I am healthy and I don’t have any family related problem.
I want to be honest. It was a big deal for me the way Greek federation approached my situation when my wife was expecting our first child in 2011. I was annoyed because a version of what happened leaked and it was different from what had really happened. At the time, I didn’t had any reason to bring even more tension to this situation. I was interested above anything else for my wife and we had to deal with a health issue before my first child was born (ed.note: His son, now he also has a daughter). I have expressed this to the federation on a personal level. However the national team is always something really important. There’s nothing better and more emotional for an athlete. The less I could do would be to respond to the call. I hope to get called”.