Greece cautious but confident ahead of Iran clash

TURIN (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Another Greek drama is about to unfold in international basketball. The country that has given the sport some unforgettable moments over the years, some of them successes and others failures, will launch its FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign on Monday in Turin's PalaOlimpico against Iran.

Unlike four years ago, when a very experienced national side had to make a very long journey to Caracas, Venezuela, to take part in a 12-team OQT, the Greeks this time have made a short trip to the north of Italy to play in a six-team OQT.

Will Greece find success like in 2008 when they hosted an OQT and claimed one of three berths up for grabs to the Beijing Games, or will they come up short, as they did in Caracas in a shock defeat to Nigeria in the knockout round?

"It is a special situation, four games. We have to play seriously from the beginning because, as has been shown previously, you can fall victim to surprise." - Stratos Perperoglou

Stratos Perperoglou is one of the veterans in the 2016 Greek team, a player that only joined the team several days ago after playing for Barcelona in the Spanish Liga Endesa play-off finals. He is optimistic, but also cautious.

"It's a special tournament," he said. "We knew from the beginning that there would be no rest (after the league seasons) and all the players have come to play this tournament.

"We are a new team and everyone is trying to give everything so we can achieve our goal. There are many who believe in us, but from our side we will do our best. The national team has old and new players and there are several players with experience from such tournaments."

Among the newcomers to the senior team are Ioannis Papapetrou and Vasilis Charalampopoulos, while Giannis Bourousis and Evangelos Mantzaris are the only two players that made the trip to Venezuela four years ago. Greece have exciting talents in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kostas Koufos, and a steady hand in Perperoglou, their best shooter on the perimeter.

Each of those players have had special moments with Greece the past couple of years, whether it was the senior team or the youth teams.

Greece appear to have enough veterans, and rising stars like Charalampopoulos, to win games. But will they be able to overcome teams like Croatia and Italy?

"It is a special situation, four games," Perperoglou said. "We have to play seriously from the beginning because, as has been shown previously, you can fall victim to surprise."

On opening night, after Greece take on Iran in Group A, hosts Italy square off against Tunisia in Group B.

Greece will also have to face Mexico in Group A. Their focus is right now on Iran, who are led by former Germany coach Dirk Bauermann.

"The coaches have tried to help us to understand as much as possible about how Iran plays," Perperoglou said. "In no case will we underestimate this opponent."

FIBA