GRE - It’s all about teamwork for Zouros, Printezis

ATHENS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - There wasn't much to dislike for Greece coach Ilias Zouros in Lithuania last weekend.

Returning to the country where he led the Greeks through a difficult 24-team EuroBasket last summer to a sixth-place finish, one that guaranteed the side a place in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), Zouros steered his side to friendly victories over Russia (66-63) and Lithuania (82-70).

Greece were not at full strength as they continued their warm-up period for the OQT in Caracas, Venezuela.

Ioannis Bourousis and Antonis Fotsis (both Olimpia Milano) and Nikos Zisis (Montepaschi Siena) were still involved in the Italian play-off finals.

But no matter which players are on the court, Zouros expects the squad to execute.

"The first thing we can say is that we still have work to do," Zouros said.

"We can fix many things and show more on the court.

"You could see it some pieces in the attack. We must insist more from the defensive rebounds.

"But I am very pleased with the effort of all players, and their teamwork.”

Playing as a team, Zouros stressed, is the only way they will be successful next month at the OQT.

"Everyone showed (in Lithuania over the weekend) that they know very well that it's the team that wins,” Zouros said.

“They know that when we unite and fight together, we win.

"It is something that the national team has shown and proven many times in the past."

A willingness to play collectively and not as individuals has been the secret to Greece’s success in the past.

Seven years ago, the players captured the gold medal at the EuroBasket in Belgrade by remaining focused and working together.

The following year, Greece shocked the United States in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA World Championship in Japan.

In 2008, Greece's team play secured one of three spots at the OQT in Athens for the Beijing Games.

Return of Printezis

One of the players that was crucial in that 2008 team was Georgios Printezis.

Printezis, who scored the winning shot in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final against CSKA Moscow last month for Olympiacos and then helped his side beat Panathinaikos in the Greek play-off finals, didn't play for the national team last summer in Lithuania.

But he’s now back in the squad and clearly an important player as it gets ready to face Puerto Rico and Jordan in Group A of the OQT.

"So far things are positive," he said.

"We're working a lot and will keep working.

"We have to correct some details that should allow each of us to reach his best."

According to Printezis, Zouros is pulling all the right strings in the preparations.

"The coach helps us, helps everyone to take advantage of his strong points to the benefit of the team and to help the team get the qualification its wants," Printezis said.

"We want to play a nice, modern basketball and we expect the other players who had obligations in the Italian Championship to fit in when they get here."

As for his return, Printezis said: "Although I was not in the national team last year, I know most of the players," he said.

"I have no problem adapting, assimilating things every day and all of us are trying our best."

As Greece are bringing back the three players that just competed in the Italian finals, a series just won by Montepaschi Siena 4-1, Zouros has decided to release Panathinaikos big man Ian Vougioukas and former Greece U20 standout Zisis Sarikopoulos from the squad.

FIBA