There are defeats and there are defeats. Some hurt less; others are a huge stain. Falling at home against your eternal rival, as happened to Panathinaikos this Friday at Euroleague in front of Olympiakoswe would say that it would fit perfectly into the second definition. And, of course, it causes waves in the defeated.
Ergin Atamancoach of PAOwas the first to throw a dart at his players. The main ones pointed out, the Spanish Juancho Hernangómez and Dinos Mitoglou. “Congratulations to Sasha Vezenkov because he has taught us that he is a real power forward. We have played without anyone. Hernango shirt y Mitoglouzero points. As in all derbies. Embroidery He has scored 24, taking responsibility.”
The referees too received of the Turkish coach. A classic in it. “They want to show that they are the best every time they come here. With these types of decisions, they surely have a place in the final of the tournament. In free throws the distance was 18 to 28 today. I know that the Liga You’re going to punish me for what I’m saying, but I just want to congratulate you again; “They had no influence whatsoever on what happened,” he said ironically after losing in a match that was decided in the last seconds.
The next to intervene was Dimitris Giannakopoulos. The fussing, words and controversies of the club owner are another tradition of European basketball. It is never missing. And when they are missing, they are missed.
The businessman went to training this Saturday, met with the players in the center of the court and gave a speech that the Greek newspaper SDNA reproduced in its entirety.
“I’ve been wanting to come for a month or a month and a half, but due to various commitments, I haven’t been able to. It has nothing to do with yesterday’s game. When things don’t go well in a family or a team, there are no exceptions; everyone is responsible. I wouldn’t ask them to do it, but please don’t be shy. Speak up. Do you have any complaints about the club? Any problems, big or small?
None? So everything is perfect… Respect is mutual. Most of you have been on the team for a few years, have walked into my office and received 50%, 100% or even 200% raises, which you deserve, and I make that clear. Did I negotiate with any of you? I don’t believe it. I signed immediately.
Coach, did you ask me something and I refused? Players or something else? Anything they ask for doesn’t take me more than 5 minutes to sign. Satisfying all desires also increases the club’s expectations. The results can be good or bad. Determination and discipline are a team thing. You have to respect the biggest shirt Europa. My father told me that I had to respect everyone. Respecting people means respecting everyone. And we must demand it in return.
I don’t think it’s a question of talent. Does anyone here doubt that, individually, we have the greatest talent of Europa? We may not be the best team as a whole, but we have the most talent. That’s my opinion; Without being a basketball expert, the coach is. We have the best coach in Europe.
Based on history, we have the best basketball culture in Europe. And yet I don’t see the enthusiasm. I’m not going to mention names. You come and ask for a 100-150% raise, and you get it. But for my part, I demand 250% more professionalism and dedication. More will. I didn’t come to the game yesterday, but as you can see, I haven’t slept a wink.
They asked me to come to the game three times, but I stopped the fourth time to come here and talk to you. You know, my father never slept after a bad result… We lived in an apartment building, the whole family. When we lost, no lights came on. Nobody slept, especially after the home defeats against the Olympiakos.
He Olympiakos It is one of the best teams Europa. But it doesn’t have the best squad. Comparing each of you with any other, for me there is no comparison. But they have the enthusiasm. I told them I wanted to come here for a month. It has nothing to do with yesterday’s game.
What I see is that we enter the games and in one minute we are 15 points behind, and we race to recover the difference. I don’t see that passion and enthusiasm that I want. I see it in a few players. In three, maybe four, definitely in very few.
I want to ask you something. When you get home from practice, look in the mirror for five minutes and ask yourself: Am I playing at my best? Am I giving it my all? “Deserve” is a difficult word, but I will use it. Do I deserve this contract? This money I receive? I think only three or four players this year can look in the mirror and say, “I deserve this.”
I want to see determination on the field. I haven’t been able to sleep, but I came to talk to you. This time, I’m going to highlight someone, and it has nothing to do with talent or ability. I want you to see the determination of Matthias (Lessort). He is an example to follow. As Sloukas and some others.
Other players deserve their contracts. I’m not saying it. I’m not talking about talent. The talent exists and it is enough even to beat teams from the NBA. Please respect the club and its contracts. Watch some games from two years ago. Those who were here then, ask yourself.
Am I giving the same as I did two years ago? Do I have the same thirst? Or did I rest because I signed an important contract? Or why do I take 300 selfies a day, or why I am part of the largest team in Europa? The goal is one: give your best and go home at night knowing that you gave it your all, even after defeats.
I look you in the eyes and tell you: you are not giving 100%. Only 3 or 4 out of 15 or 16 players do it. It is a very small percentage. I hope you give 100%. We cannot lose against lower-class teams by 15, 20 or 30 points in a game.
Yesterday I did not sleep, like thousands of fans from all over Greece. In the past, I have been extremely strict with discipline in off-field activities. He is perhaps the strictest owner of a European team in these matters. Do you know something? There are games in which we must understand their meaning.
There are things I can’t accept. I know who drank, how much they drank and when. I won’t name names, although I know everything. Two days ago, and you know who you are, at 5 in the morning you were drunk. Is it possible? No. I can’t accept it. Not for punishment, but because it hurts me.
I asked you from the beginning: do you have any complaints? Because if it existed, okay. Since you don’t have any complaints, I don’t want to have any either. I really want to ask you to give your all, to respect the name of the club and to be a team. LET’S BE A TEAM! With the best squad in Europe, we must play the best basketball in Europe. I am not an expert in this sport. What I understood and liked to see was Alvertis shooting and scoring, or Kendrick doing it from the pivot. That’s the basketball I understand.
What I do know is that you have to fight for every ball with passion and determination. Jump onto the court for each ball. That’s what I want to see. It makes me happy. Well, who doesn’t want the titles at the end of the year?
I don’t want to complain about any of you, but when I see the ball go by and you don’t go out and catch it, then yes, I have a complaint. The coach decides how many minutes they will play, but when I see a player who doesn’t play much under the basket and can’t score, I can’t accept it. They are the best template Europa; Give the fans, their families and the club what we deserve. We deserve to see the best basketball Europa. They have the best coach and the best conditions.
Please love your colleagues as you love your family. Love the club and the fans of all Greece who didn’t sleep last night. Happy new year to everyone.”
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