THESSALONIKI (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Giannis Athinaiou loved winning a game for Greece in the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers. But the guard just enjoys the opportunity to play for his country during the season in the new Competition System. 

For the first time in his career, the 29-year-old Athinaiou had the chance to be one of the leaders of the Greek senior national team - and he excelled, hitting the game winning three-pointer in Greece's overtime win at Great Britain.

"I think that this new system gives the opportunity to many players that don't play in the EuroLeague or NBA to participate in their country's national team," Athinaiou said. "It is nice to play with your national team during the season and not only during the summer."

Athinaiou was playing for Greece for the second time after averaging 1.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016. His main production in the OQT came in a 25-point blowout of Iran in which he picked up four points, two assists, one rebound and one steal in 17 minutes.

But the Cholargos native played a much bigger role in November's Qualifiers for Thanasis Skourtopoulos' team, averaging 12.0 points, 4.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals.

"This time it was completely different. I had more responsibility and I felt that I must give the best to achieve our goals," said Athinaiou, who plays for Aris after playing for Olympiacos the previous two seasons. "I wasn't afraid of that because I like to take the responsibility."

Giannis Athinaiou playing for Aris Thessaloniki in the Basketball Champions League.

The opening Qualifier against Great Britain gave Athinaiou one of his biggest highlights of his career on the court. Greece watched hosts Great Britain erase a 10-point deficit in the final minute to force overtime. But Athinaiou stepped up in the extra session with eight points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining.

"That moment was very special for me especially because that happened with the national team," said Athinaiou, who ended up with 18 points on four three-pointers with five assists. "I believed that I could make the last shot so I wanted to take the responsibility."

In the second Qualifier, Greece had Nick Calathes, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Ian Vougioukas join the team. Both that and the home fans in Crete played a major difference and Greece eased to an 82-61 victory over Israel to improve to a 2-0 record in Group H.

"In the second game we had the help of these three experienced guys. Also we played in front of our fans, and after the big win against Great Britain we felt much more comfortable, all of us," said Athinaiou, who picked up six points, five assists and three rebounds in the game against Israel.

He said the team loved playing in front of the great support in Heraklion.

"We feel very nice when we play in front of our fans, that they support the national team every time. We feel responsible for them to do the best for our country," Athinaiou said.

Next up for Greece in the second window are two home Qualifiers against Estonia and Great Britain on February 23 and 25, respectively.

"Two home games in front of our fans will give us extra energy, and from our side we should have the same concentration and desire," Athinaiou said looking ahead to the next two games.

"We understood from the first games that with our desire and concentration we can do many good things. Also, we have to stay together in every moment and play all for one and one for all," Athinaiou said.

The shooting guard expects a repeat of the first window - "Two more wins."

And him playing a strong role: "I am looking forward to the next two games, just like all of us. We hope to be healthy and strong until then because that is the most important thing for everybody."

Healthy to again play for Greece during the season - an idea that Athinaiou really enjoys.

FIBA