“We are happy with the work of Fotis Katsikaris and we are working for its continuity”
BARCELONA, 16 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of Bàsquet Girona, Marc Gasol, took stock this Thursday of a 2023-24 season with “ups and downs” in which they achieved the goal of remaining in the Endesa League, although they want to grow next year and, without yet knowing if The coach, Fotis Katsikaris, will continue. They want to play in Europe and that is why they have requested an invitation to the FIBA Europe Cup.
“The club is working along these lines. It will be difficult, because getting an invitation is not easy to achieve but we believe that for the group’s sporting growth it is important to try. We will see if we achieve it or not, but it is the objective,” commented Marc Gasol. at a press conference in Fontajau.
In this sense, they believe that FIBA would be more willing to accept the invitation to the Europe Cup, its second European continental competition, than to the ‘Basketball Champions League’, the first competition organized by the world basketball body.
“With the mentality of projection and for players to play more minutes and compete more, which is a part of the game where the player improves, because we believe it is more possible to play the Eurocup than not the ‘Champions’,” Gasol alleged.
On the other hand, regarding this campaign, he believes it was good. “It has been a very long season full of ups and downs. The club has reacted quite well to the bad moments, being firm with the values we have. The results mark a lot, having 13 victories is quite good but we are always ambitious and we want the club to play well. Little by little we are achieving it,” he said.
Regarding the continuity of the Greek coach, Fotis Katsikaris, he was personally in favor of it. “We have to see if it continues. We are closing the sports management part, with a work team of three people. We are happy with Fotis’ work and we are working for his continuity, I am happy with most of the things he has done. But it is It is more important that the sports management and the coaches are in communion, more than what I can think,” he said.
Regarding this sports direction, he explained that Xus Escosa will be the ‘general manager’, that they are looking for a sports director who could be Fernando San Emeterio – former Akasvayu Girona player and former teammate of Marc Gasol and now assistant coach at Valencia Basket – and an expert in international scouting to look for young talents.
“Fernando San Emeterio is one of the options, but he is still in the process. Right now he is linked to another club and we have several options and Fernando is one of them. He knows the club, he knows Girona and our identity. We will see how it ends,” He commented on the possibility of San Emeterio being the new sports director of Bàsquet Girona.
On the other hand, regarding the squad for the next course, their general idea is to give continuity to the current squad. “We want to build on the foundations that have worked this year and on the players who have a contract, who fit into the idea of the team and personality that the coach and sports management have,” he contributed.
“About my farewell, in Memphis my last game was in 2019 and they retired my number in 2024. I ask for patience. I know that everyone wants to celebrate it and so do I, we don’t know what it will be but we think that next season will be a good one. time to have that party and share the mutual love we have for each other,” he commented on the tribute that the club can pay him after saying goodbye to the slopes.
A club that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this Thursday. “They have been 10 years that have passed very quickly and with a lot of work behind them, the club has been growing a lot and it should continue that way. We think about how to do things better, without fear of error and with the desire to continue growing, which we like so much And proud to have arrived here,” Gasol acknowledged.
And to celebrate, they are working on a high-level friendly match. “For the friendly match, I know that they are working on bringing a Euroleague team for the preseason. But there is nothing defined. We must be cautious but I know that they are looking at bringing a Euroleague team to Fontajau,” he acknowledged.
2024-05-16 13:21:32
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