FIBA Basketball
GRE - Reds scupper Giannakis' play-off dreams
ATHENS (A1 league Play-offs) - Club success may have eluded Panagiotis Giannakis (pictured) this season but the Greek national team boss will now turn his attention to this summer's FIBA World Championship in Japan.The man with the golden touch who won EuroBasket as a player with Greece in 1987 and then repeated the feat as a coach in 2005 in Serbia and Montenegro, saw his play-off dreams with
ATHENS (A1 league Play-offs) - Club success may have eluded Panagiotis Giannakis (pictured) this season but the Greek national team boss will now turn his attention to this summer's FIBA World Championship in Japan.
The man with the golden touch who won EuroBasket as a player with Greece in 1987 and then repeated the feat as a coach in 2005 in Serbia and Montenegro, saw his play-off dreams with Honda Maroussi ended on Saturday night by Olympiakos at the Peace and Friendship stadium in Pireaus.
Unfortunately for Giannakis, neither sentiment was extended to him and his Maroussi side as Jonas Kazlauskas' men swept to an 82-65 victory to complete a 3-2 semi-final series win and set up an Athens royal rumble with eternal rivals Panathinaikos in the final.
Giannakis would have expected more from his Maruossi team in their fifth-game decider following the amazing spirit and determination his players showed in the fourth match to level the series at 2-2 but it wasn't to be and the man himself was philosophical afterwards.
"Olympiakos imposed their rhythm on us and at the same time we seemed to accept very easy baskets far too often," said Giannakis.
"All I wish for now is to see some beautiful games in the final series between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.
"My players have certainly made a step forward from last year but I know that they want to continue and progress more, which I hope they can."
Giannakis declined to comment on national team matters before the end of the domestic season.
But his mind will undoubtedly be wandering ahead to the national team's World Championship warm-up programme which begins with a squad get-together on July 5.
And while Athens is now bracing itself for a mouth-watering finale to the domestic season, Giannakis can now fully focus on the national team's preparations for the upcoming trip to the Far East for basketball's global team showpiece.
Greece will play in three warm-up tournaments before the big tip-off in Japan, with their first friendly encounter scheduled against Canada on July 21.
By Graham Wood, PA Sport, Athens
The man with the golden touch who won EuroBasket as a player with Greece in 1987 and then repeated the feat as a coach in 2005 in Serbia and Montenegro, saw his play-off dreams with Honda Maroussi ended on Saturday night by Olympiakos at the Peace and Friendship stadium in Pireaus.
Unfortunately for Giannakis, neither sentiment was extended to him and his Maroussi side as Jonas Kazlauskas' men swept to an 82-65 victory to complete a 3-2 semi-final series win and set up an Athens royal rumble with eternal rivals Panathinaikos in the final.
Giannakis would have expected more from his Maruossi team in their fifth-game decider following the amazing spirit and determination his players showed in the fourth match to level the series at 2-2 but it wasn't to be and the man himself was philosophical afterwards.
"Olympiakos imposed their rhythm on us and at the same time we seemed to accept very easy baskets far too often," said Giannakis.
"All I wish for now is to see some beautiful games in the final series between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.
"My players have certainly made a step forward from last year but I know that they want to continue and progress more, which I hope they can."
Giannakis declined to comment on national team matters before the end of the domestic season.
But his mind will undoubtedly be wandering ahead to the national team's World Championship warm-up programme which begins with a squad get-together on July 5.
And while Athens is now bracing itself for a mouth-watering finale to the domestic season, Giannakis can now fully focus on the national team's preparations for the upcoming trip to the Far East for basketball's global team showpiece.
Greece will play in three warm-up tournaments before the big tip-off in Japan, with their first friendly encounter scheduled against Canada on July 21.
By Graham Wood, PA Sport, Athens