Mateusz Ponitka: 'EuroBasket convinced EuroLeague teams that I could play for them and help' / News - Basketnews.com

Mateusz Ponitka spoke about his transfer to Panathinaikos and how the EuroBasket helped him get the EuroLeague clubs' attention.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Mateusz Pontika officially became a Panathinaikos OPAP Athens player on September 23, as the official announcement of the Polish player joining the Greek club happened right before the Panathinaikos match against Anadolu Efes Istanbul for the Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament.

Mateusz Ponitka

Team:Panathinaikos AthensPosition:SFAge:29Height:197 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:Ostrow, PolandProfileNewsStatistics

Ponitka landed in Athens right after Panathinaikos won against the EuroLeague champions in OAKA. However, he will not play on September 24 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan yet but should be in attendance.

Before leaving for Greece, Ponitka talked with TVP Sport in Poland about his transfer to Panathinaikos and success at the EuroBasket, where Poland managed to upset Luka Doncic's Slovenia and finish in fourth place.

"I certainly did not expect such a development before the start of the EuroBasket. With my agent we calculated that sometime in November or December we would look for something else, like for example to return to the EuroLeague," said Ponitka.

"Nevertheless, the EuroBasket, which was a great success for the whole team and our country, convinced EuroLeague teams who were not completely convinced before, that I could play for them and help," said the Polish forward.

The 29-year-old revealed that the last days before signing with Panathinaikos were really busy for him.

"The last three days have been hot as I've been on the phones all the time. We have been trying to settle all matters so that both sides are satisfied," Ponitka said.

"Finally we managed to finalize all the details and all that remains for me is to enter the court," the Polish player added.

1.98-meters tall forward also explained the reasoning why he will not be able to play in the final of Pavlos Giannakopoulos yet.

"There is another match on Saturday in the tournament but I will not be able to play yet. I will have to undergo a medical examination,'' Ponitka explained.

In the final of the tournament in memory of Pavlos Giannakopoulos, Panathinaikos will face Armani on September 24 at 20:00 CEST

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