ATHENS (Greece) - Stella Kaltsidou enjoyed an amazing playing career for Greece and has now picked up the coaching reins as they look to secure their place at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027.
A legend who stepped onto the floor 150 times for her country, Kaltsidou scored 1,639 points and played in five editions of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket, including in 2017 when they made a super run to the Semi-Finals.
Representing your national team has always been, is, and always will be the highest honor for me.
She also represented Greece on a global stage, with two appearances at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2010 and 2018.
On the sidelines, Kaltsidou had a brief spell in charge of Great Britain at the start of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, while also taking Athinaikos Qualco to a historic first EuroCup Women Final last season.
"When I was informed of the intention for me to take charge of the women's national team, I accepted with great joy," said Kaltsidou after being appointed.
"I am fully aware of the responsibility that comes with the role and the respect owed to the history and the jersey of the national team. I approach it with humility, a willingness to work very hard and a great deal of optimism."
She added: "We have a difficult road ahead of us, but I have tremendous confidence in the Greek players. Representing your country's national team has always been, is, and always will be the highest honor for me.
"The national team, as cliche as it may sound, is above everyone and everything. It belongs to no one. It does not belong to individuals. It is the team of the Greek people, and it is the responsibility of all of us."
Greece will compete in the Second Round of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Qualifiers after being drawn in Group L alongside Serbia, Slovakia and the Netherlands, with the top two teams advancing to the Final Round.
They will face all three opponents during the next window, from November 11-17, 2026, before meeting them again in February 2027.
FIBA