The first assemble of Panathinaikos players for the 2014-2015 season took place on Thursday afternoon at the OAKA sports center in Athens.
With many Greek players on the club’s roster, the Clover is ready to make history once again together with its fans.
The Greens gathered at OAKA, rolled up their sleeves and began hard work as they ran many kilometers at the outdoor facilities of OAKA. The same is expected to happen on Friday afternoon (22/8), and on Saturday morning (23/8) the team will travel to Karpenissi, Central Greece, for the main preparation phase, which will last until September 3.
The first assemble of the team was not without absences, although justified: Dusko Ivanovic (is with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Men’s National Basketball Team and will join the team after its return from Karpenissi); James Gist (took special permission to remain in the USA for personal matters); Vladimir Jankovic (is with the Greece Men’s National Basketball Team); Michalis Lountzis (is with the Greece U16 National Basketball Team); Yorgos Papayannis (will join the team on Saturday and travel to Karpenissi); Antonis Koniaris (will join the team on Saturday and travel to Karpenissi); Vassilis Charalambopoulos (is expected to join the team in Karpenissi on Monday or Tuesday).
Read Panathinaikos coaches’ and players’ statements below:
Sotiris Manolopoulos (assistant coach): “I hope that we’ll have a good season and be healthy. We have everyday communication with Ivanovic and we know on what to focus in defense and in offense, but our priority now is to get the players in good shape.”
Josep Berrocal (assistant coach): “We’ll be without Dusko Ivanovic for a few days, but we know what work has to be done. In Karpenissi we’ll build the all new Panathinaikos”.
Dimitris Diamantidis: “I am sure about one thing: we’ll give our best in every training session and every game and we’ll see where we can go down the road. It needs time and in the process we may face serious difficulties, but we’ll try to give our best and we’ll see.”
DeMarcus Nelson: This is a big opportunity in my career. Panathinaikos is a top team. I wanted so much to come here. The fans support the team with passion. The whole situation is very good for me.
Esteban Batista: “It’s an honor for me to be member of Panathinaikos, the best team in Europe. It’s an awesome feeling.”
A. J. Slaughter: “It’s an honor for me and I’m excited about playing for Panathinaikos. It’s the best team, and I’ll work hard in defense and in offense so that we can reach our goals.”
Lefteris Bochoridis: “The history of this jersey speaks for itself. It’s a unique feeling to be here. I’m sure that the club’s executives will help us and let us play without pressure. Panathinaikos is used to winning trophies and we want to bring successes. It’s amazing to be Diamantidis’ teammate.”
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