Dimitris Itoudis: 'Giannis Antetokounmpo is a global example for children' / News - Basketnews.com

Ahead of EuroBasket 2022 Greek national team head coach Dimitris Itoudis talked about injuries that plagued his team, as well as Giannis Antetokounmpo's importance for their squad.

Credit: HBF Credit HBF

A day before the Greek national team will start their EuroBasket 2022 journey, head coach of the team Dimitris Itoudis talked about challenges due to injuries, their leader Giannis Antetokounmpo and more in an interview with Gazzetta.gr.

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Itoudis, who officially joined the Greek National team last March, will have his first tournament at the helm of the team. He has 2 EuroLeague titles as a head coach and 5 as an assistant, but it will be his first try to lead a national team to a title.

The Greek coach said he's honored to help the national team to try to achieve its goal.

"It's an honor, it's a very special feeling to hear the national anthem and sing it with thousands of people and know that in what you're doing you're not alone, but you have a whole nation behind you," said Itoudis.

When asked about the differences between coaching the national team and club team, Itoudis pointed out that players on the national teams don't get paid.

"There are many differences, but the approach is equally professional, even if the players are not paid for their contribution to the national team," explained Itoudis.

They are all high-level professionals, but they know that their "investment" is their body, health care, and respect for the sport," the Greek coach added.

The coach also talked about injury problems that have plagued the Greek national team since their preparation started for the EuroBasket 2022.

"I want to believe though and hope that with each passing day we will have better and better news regarding the recovery of all the players," said Itoudis.

"I am in constant contact with our medical staff, because we really go day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute," Itoudis continued.

"The doctor would ideally like a few extra days, but that, really, only God could do! We are armed with patience and think positively," added the Greek coach.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Position:PF, SFAge:27Height:211 cmWeight:98 kgBirth place:Athens, GreeceProfileNewsStatistics

"We didn't have the opportunity to meet all together on the floor even in one training session," Itoudis revealed the preparation troubles.

The Greek coach also touched on how Giannis Antetokounmpo helps the team and why is he so important for them.

"Giannis [Antetokounmpo] is a huge personality on a global scale and it is an advantage for Greek basketball to work with him," said Itoudis.

"He [Antetokounmpo] is very consistent and at the same time has a great motivation to help his country," Itoudis continued.

"The love he has for the sport, the stoicism he shows in the face of criticism, and the fact that he is a father figure to all members of his family," Itoudis praised Antetokounmpo.

"It is clear that he has values, which were passed down from his parents and the difficult life circumstances he had to face from a young age," Itoudis added.

The Greek coach believes that the Milwaukee Bucks and the Greek national team superstar is a great example for children.

"All this has nurtured him to be a living global example for all young children and especially for the Greek children who in the last weeks had the opportunity to admire him up close," said the Greek national team coach.

With his final words in the interview, Itoudis emphasized that the team enters the EuroBasket with a positive mind despite a difficult preparation period.

"We do not enter [the EuroBasket] with a bad attitude, nor with laxity, on the contrary, we are there, present and fighting our battles. I think this is the best denominator and if we are healthy, there are many things we can improve and achieve," Itoudis concluded.

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