Panathinaikos’ preparation in Karpenisi goes on and the members of the clover delegation have gradually begun to count backwards, since on September 3 the team returns to Athens. The technical staff has already drawn quite a few useful conclusions from these first days. Sotiris Manolopoulos, Argyris Pedoulakis’ assistant, spoke in reference to this first part of preseason which will soon be fulfilled.
“The first and most important conclusion is that the guys have come along with quite an appetite. We have been working really hard; the hours we spend on the floor and out on the track are numerous. On certain occasions in a good manner, with humor, there is some winning; however it is something completely natural. Especially in the part that includes basketball they illustrate great concentration and attention and this makes our job so much easier”.
Panathinaikos also has a few absentees from its preparation camp, since Fotsis, Mavrokefalidis and Bramos are getting ready with the Greek NT for the Eurobasket in Slovenia, as are Maciulis and Ukic with respective Lithuanian and Croatian NTs. On the other hand, out in Karpenisi, there are certain new faces: “We have brought along certain guys to help us, but I believe that we are also helping them to become better through this preseason training camp. It is only natural for Panathinaikos to have all international players. I believe that the guys that were on the team last season will adapt quite easily. But the guys that were not with us last year, Fotsis and Mavrokefalidis are experience and smart players that are certain to adjust mighty easily. It will take a greater effort, but I believe that the atmosphere on the team as also their teammates will assist them in adjusting much faster”.
After the end of the first part of the training camp, gradually friendly games will be added to the daily routine. “It is important that the preseason games begin. Not only in order for you to be able to establish in what kind of state the team is in, but also in order to get out of routine rhythms, get a change of scenery. It is important for the players to get out of their everyday pace, which is not that easy now, during this time, what with so many hours on the court and continuous training sessions”.
Greek Cup
The draw for the Men’s Greek Cup was committed today at the “Divani Caravel” hotel. Panathinaikos will be competing in the competition’s quarterfinal round. It will be facing Rethymno in Crete, on October 9.
