Vovoras reflects on Panathinaikos' woeful season: 'The club must return to where it belongs' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

If the 2021-22 season goes down in history as one of the most successful and memorable ones for Olympiacos Piraeus, for their main rivals, the same campaign will probably live in infamy.

2-pointers this season

54%19,4Points made:19,4Accuracy:53,7%Place in standings:10Record max:25Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Georgios PapagiannisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The power balance between Greek basketball's biggest clubs has always been delicate and fragile. However, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens had always concluded the season with at least one domestic trophy - or with at least one important title.

The last time Greens finished empty-handed on the domestic front was in 2002, when they won their third EuroLeague cup in Bologna. The last time PAO didn't win anything was in 1997. And yes, that's when Olympiacos celebrated their first and only triple crown.

Panathinaikos were by no means the favorites to win either domestic title. But what was expected of them was to show a competitive face against a (far) better team. In the end, that proved to be a far-fetched goal as well.

Giorgos Vovoras spoke about the atmosphere that exists in Panathinaikos' locker room after getting swept (0-3) in the Greek League finals and stressed that everyone should look at the future.

"It was a difficult period for us. To win the title, you have to be ready for 40 minutes. We had lapses, and Olympiacos took advantage of them. We lost our concentration for 3-4 minutes. Our goal was to get a win so as to put pressure on Olympiacos, but we couldn't. We are sad," PAO's coach told Greek public television ERT.

"The series is over, and we have to look at the future. I wish we could have shown this mentality in Game 1. Tonight, we were more aggressive, we didn't hesitate as we had in Game 1. You can't afford to be hesitant in a series with an opponent like Olympiacos," the Greek tactician stressed.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

Vovoras had nothing but praise for Olympiacos and his retired captain, Giorgos Printezis.

"They have been excellent all season. They reached the Final Four and made an excellent series in the Greek league finals. We tried to give 100%, but it was not enough. Printezis is definitely a huge player. His EuroLeague experience is something that Olympiacos must utilize, in my opinion," Vovoras pointed out.

The 45-year-old coach thinks it's too early to discuss the team's future.

"After going down 3-0, one feels sad because this club deserves more and must return to where it historically belongs," he argued.

"We want it to be a team that will compete in every competition until the end. It was a very difficult season for Panathinaikos all the way through it. This is a day for reflection," Vovoras noted.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

"I am sure that the people who have to make decisions for the team will make the best ones so that Panathinaikos can return to where they deserve to be," he added.

Finally, asked about what he would change if he stayed next year, Vovoras essentially skipped the question.

"I've been with the team only for two months. It was a very difficult mission. I am not in a position to say what I would change. But this club definitely doesn't deserve to project this image throughout the whole season," he poignantly finished his post-game comment.

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