FIBA Basketball
GRE - Giannakis confident of further success
ATHENS (FIBA World Championship) - Greece coach Panagiotis Giannakis believes his side have what it takes to add the FIBA World Championship crown to their 2005 EuroBasket title this summer. The FIBA World Championship is now just under two months away
::WIN a trip to the FIBA World Championship Finals weekend ::
ATHENS (FIBA World Championship) - Greece coach Panagiotis Giannakis believes his side have what it takes to add the FIBA World Championship crown to their 2005 EuroBasket title this summer.
The FIBA World Championship is now just under two months away and the Greek camp showed they were in optimistic mood on Thursday at the presentation of the team's new vest, made by sport manufacturer Champion.
"Firstly, as a team, we believe it is just as important to walk as it is to fly," said Giannakis.
"We want to make all the people who collaborate with us proud and to follow what [Champion chairman] Saouro Mambrini said, I agree that genuine champions are not only those that have exceptional records, but also character.
"I believe that this team has such character and if this continues to stay with us then we can make our supporters very happy."
Barcelona forward Mihalis Kakiouzis and CSKA Moscow guard Theodoros Papaloukas are also eagerly awaiting the start of FIBA's showpiece event in Japan.
Greece will be sporting their new vest at the tournament and both want to make it recognised the world over.
"The appearance of the vest is amazing and I hope that as a team we can continue our good course and make this vest famous around the world," said Kakiouzis.
Papaloukas added: "We will do everything we can to maintain our status as the top European team and I hope we can do well in the FIBA World Championship."
The Greek team begin their preparations next Thursday when the team will gather for the start of training ahead of their first friendly match against Canada on July 21.
That will be in a tournament in Italy, which will also feature the hosts and Serbia & Montenegro.
Greece will then play host to Italy, Croatia and France in the Acropolis Tournament from July 31-August 2, before heading to China for a final warm-up competition involving Australia, France and a yet-to-be-confirmed team from August 11-15.
From Graham Wood
PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA
ATHENS (FIBA World Championship) - Greece coach Panagiotis Giannakis believes his side have what it takes to add the FIBA World Championship crown to their 2005 EuroBasket title this summer.
The FIBA World Championship is now just under two months away and the Greek camp showed they were in optimistic mood on Thursday at the presentation of the team's new vest, made by sport manufacturer Champion.
"Firstly, as a team, we believe it is just as important to walk as it is to fly," said Giannakis.
"We want to make all the people who collaborate with us proud and to follow what [Champion chairman] Saouro Mambrini said, I agree that genuine champions are not only those that have exceptional records, but also character.
"I believe that this team has such character and if this continues to stay with us then we can make our supporters very happy."
Barcelona forward Mihalis Kakiouzis and CSKA Moscow guard Theodoros Papaloukas are also eagerly awaiting the start of FIBA's showpiece event in Japan.
Greece will be sporting their new vest at the tournament and both want to make it recognised the world over.
"The appearance of the vest is amazing and I hope that as a team we can continue our good course and make this vest famous around the world," said Kakiouzis.
Papaloukas added: "We will do everything we can to maintain our status as the top European team and I hope we can do well in the FIBA World Championship."
The Greek team begin their preparations next Thursday when the team will gather for the start of training ahead of their first friendly match against Canada on July 21.
That will be in a tournament in Italy, which will also feature the hosts and Serbia & Montenegro.
Greece will then play host to Italy, Croatia and France in the Acropolis Tournament from July 31-August 2, before heading to China for a final warm-up competition involving Australia, France and a yet-to-be-confirmed team from August 11-15.
From Graham Wood
PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA