GRE – Missas would relish opportunity to lead Greek men

OSTRAVA (EuroBasket 2011) – Big changes are going to happen in Greece ahead of next year’s EuroBasket in Lithuania and the biggest will be in the coaching department.
 
With Lithuanian Jonas Kazlauskas’ contract having expired as boss of the national team, Greece are poised to appoint one of their own again and veteran Kostas Missas has confirmed he wants the job.
 
"Of course I'd like to coach them (the men)," he said to FIBA.com in Ostrava, where he is leading the Greeks at the FIBA World Championship for Women.
 
"I believe it's an honor for everyone one of us (Greek coaches) to coach a team with history, with results, with talent."
 
Greece fell to Spain in the Eight-Finals of the FIBA World Championship earlier this month.
 
It capped a very difficult period for Greece, who went into the tournament with Sofoklis Schortsanitis and Antonis Fotsis both suspended for two games as punishment for their roles in a brawl that broke out late in their friendly against Serbia in Athens.
 
"At the World Championship, it was a bad time for the team," Missas said.
 
"I think the fighting with the Serbian team had a bad influence on us.
 
"(But) I think there is a lot of talent for the EuroBasket, the Olympics.
 
"It's an honor to coach any of our national teams - the women's team, the junior team or under-20 team but at the top is the men's team. Everyone would be happy to have this job."
 
Should Missas be appointed, he would know all of the youngsters trying to break into the team since he coached them at youth level.
 
Last year, he guided the Greece men to gold at the U20 European Championship in Rhodes and this year he steered them to silver in the U20 event.
 
When asked if he thought he has an excellent chance to be the next coach, Missas said: "The president (George Vassilakopoulos) of the federation will decide it, with the council of the federation.
 
"We're waiting.
 
"The important thing right now is that I have my mind on the World Championship (for Women) and don't want to think about it.
 
"Many, many times newspapers don't leave me alone to think about it (Missas laughs) but I'm trying to have my mind on the World Championship.
 
"That's the important thing for me."

Coach Missas and the Greek women kick off their campaign at the FIBA World Championship for women Thursday against Team USA.  That game, and all games, are available live on FIBATV.com.
 
FIBA