Kostas Sloukas talks chances of making the Final Four, semi-final vs. Fenerbahce / News - Basketnews.com

Kostas Sloukas referred to the chances of him being ready for the Berlin Final Four and addressed the peculiarities of the semi-final game against Fenerbahce. He also skipped a question regarding a meeting he had with Dimitris Giannakopoulos.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Kostas Sloukas is currently dealing with a contusion on his right calf which he sustained duringPanathinaikos AKTOR Athens' Game 5 against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv last Tuesday night.

3-pointers this season

39%9,2Points made:9,2Accuracy:38,7%Place in standings:10Record max:15Record min:2Most made 3FGs:Kendrick NunnTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Ergin Ataman provided positive injury updates for the Greek guard when asked about it at the presser following the Green's win over Promitheas Patras Friday.

"Sloukas and Juancho Hernangomez will play 100% in the Final Four," Ataman said. "They are undergoing treatment."

"We have two weeks ahead of us, and the doctors told me the treatment will take from one week to 10 days. It's good for them. They will rest and gain strength before the Final Four," he noted.

In an interview with ERT, Sloukasexpressed his optimism regarding his participation in the EuroLeague Final Four (24-26 May), spoke about the specifics of the semi-final against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, and skipped the question regarding his initial discussions with Dimitris Giannakopoulos when he signed his contract with Panathinaikos last summer.

"I think I'll be able to play in the Final Four," he confirmed.

"I am suffering from a gastrocnemius problem, but I am undergoing intensive treatments and I believe I will be OK in the semi-final. Our ambitions are always great. We have confidence in ourselves and with the support of our fans, we can make it to the final," the veteran point guard stressed.

Sloukas played for Fenerbahce between 2015 and 2020, before moving back to Greece for Olympiacos. He won the 2017 EuroLeague trophy and recorded another three Final Four participations with the Turkish powerhouse.

"That game will be special for me," he pointed out, "in terms of my relationship with Fener, as you understand."

Kostas Sloukas

MIN:26.54PTS:12.63 (59.51%)REB:3.28As:5.72ST:0.81BL:0.03TO:2.34GM:32ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

"This year I was booed in their arena for reasons I don't understand. Just because I scored a tough basket last year against them with my previous team [Olympiacos]," Sloukas added, referring to his game-winning 3-point shot in Game 3 of last year's playoffs in Istanbul when Olympiacos took down Fenerbahce 3-2 in the series.

"Beyond that, there are peculiarities due to the presence of [Giorgos] Papagiannis and [Nick] Calathes," he admitted.

"The only thing on my mind is to play with passion and manage to get the qualification that the whole Panathinaikos organization wants."

Sloukas was then asked about the discussion he had with PAO owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos when the two of them met at the beginning of the season.

"What we told each other will remain between us, but of course there are ambitions and vision for the future of Panathinaikos. I want to believe that starting Friday, we will win to be in the final and from then on we will play our chances for 40 minutes to win the title," the Greek point guard concluded.

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