Dimitris Priftis: 'We're in a transitional stage, the Greek Cup is important' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Hellenic Basketball Federation Credit Hellenic Basketball Federation

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens will face off with Promitheas Patras in the first semifinal of the Greek Cup Final Four, to be held in Heraklion, Crete from 18 to 20 February.

2-pointers this season

52%19,0Points made:19,0Accuracy:51,8%Place in standings:11Record max:24Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Georgios PapagiannisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The game's tip-off is scheduled for 16:00 CET on Friday, while three hours later, Olympiacos Piraeus will take on AEK Athens in the second semifinal.

The Greek Federation received a special permit from the government in order to allow an increased number of fans (2.000) compared to the general guidelines that were in place. Starting next week, installations around the country could operate on a capacity of up to 50%.

"We'd like to have a packed gym, but for obvious reasons, that's not possible," Panathinaikos coach Dimitris Priftis said at the inaugural press conference held in Heraklion.

"I wish that the tournament will open up in the future and becomes a Final 8," he continued.

The Final 4 format, which had been abandoned for 18 years, is back in 2022. According to Federation president Vangelis Liolios, the next move is to expand the tournament to eight teams from 2023 onwards. "Our team is clearly in a transitional stage in relation to Europe," Priftis said.

"For us, the Cup is an important goal. We want to arrive at the highest possible levels of performance based on our abilities."

Panathinaikos traveled to Crete without captain Ioannis Papapetrou who has not yet recovered from the operation he underwent on January 31 to cure chronic sinusitis.

On the other end, the problems that Promitheas Patras coach Ilias Zouros is facing are much more severe.

"We have two players who will not be part of our roster due to COVID, they are Jerai Grant and Nikos Gikas. Two players have returned," the Greek coach stressed.

Credit Hellenic Basketball Federation

Greek shooting guard-forward Charis Giannopoulos and American forward Isaiah Miles have been out of the rotation for two months now.

However, Zouros pointed out the fact that Promitheas have played in two consecutive finals in 2020 and 2021, losing both to AEK and Panathinaikos, respectively.

"For the last three years, Promitheas have been in the semifinals or the final, which shows that the team has consistency, health, and tries to go higher. In this Final 4, we also have an invisible opponent, COVID. In 40 minutes anyone can win. Everybody can claim the Cup," he said.Next to him, team captain Dimitris Agravanis stressed that his team needs to overcome the obstacles.

"We have had problems in the last few days, but we have to give 100% for the guys who will not be able to play, against a strong opponent like Panathinaikos".

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