The countdown has started for the Diamonds Are Forever Friendly Tournament, which will take place at the OAKA arena in September 16-17 in honour of Dimitris Diamantidis.
CSKA Moscow were pleased to accept Panathinaikos BC Superfoods's invitation to participate in this great event. The head coach of the Euroleague champions, Dimitris Itoudis, has more reasons than anyone to be delighted for his visit at the OAKA arena for the Diamonds Are Forever Tournament. Having worked for 13 absolutely successful years at Panathinaikos Superfoods as Zeliko Obradovic's right-hand man and having had a multiannual collaboration with Dimitris Diamantidis, he is looking forward to being there in our former captain's big moment.
Mr. Itoudis spoke to paobc.gr about the importance of his and CSKA's participation in the biggest ever friendly tournament in Europe, and, of course, about Dimitris Diamantidis.
Read the full interview:
- Mr. Itoudis, what is the main reason that you accepted Panathinaikos Superfoods 's invitation to the tournament in honour of Dimitris Diamantidis?
"We accepted the invitation for two, absolutely clear reasons. The first reason has to do with Panathinaikos BC as club. The second reason is Dimitris Diamantidis himself. It is going to be a great event and I personally as well as CSKA will be honoured to be there. For sure, it will also be a very competitive training tournament, but this is not the main reason for accepting the invitation."
- Can you think of three words that would describe Dimitris Diamantidis?
"I do not think that this man can be described with only three words. However, the first words that come to mind are: consistent, professional, winner."
- Is there a moment in Dimitris Diamantidis's career that you will not forget?
"There are many of them. It is an honour for me that I worked with him and lived from very close his development as an athlete and a person. Apart from the successes we achieved together, I saw his personal development through his marriage and his kids. Dimitris is a living example for the young athletes. A role model. As for the unforgettable moments, they were many. As members of the team we won many titles and had great moments."
How difficult will it be for Panathinaikos Superfoods and the Greek basketball in general to find the next Dimitris Diamantidis?
"Dimitris is a unique athlete and person. However, life goes on. Basketball in general and the club in specific have their history until now, and a future ahead. Team’s people, the administration and the coaches, know what they have to do to cover this huge loss. We cannot make comparisons because Dimitris is one and only. After all, basketball goes on. Team's people the administration and the coaches will do what is necessary to replace him."
- How important for your team is the participation in a tournament with very competitive teams at a packed OAKA arena?
"As I said before, CSKA and I personally were pleased to accept the invitation to this tournament. As far as the team is concerned, the preseason preparation period will have started by then, we will be building our team and we will have some absences. As for me, the fact that I am going to be at an OAKA arena full of fans makes me happy, and everyone can understand why. It will definitely be a special moment for me."
Itoudis "Honoured to Be in the Diamonds Are Forever Tournament"
The countdown has started for the Diamonds Are Forever Friendly Tournament, which will take place at the OAKA arena in September 16-17 in honour of Dimitris Diamantidis.
CSKA Moscow were pleased to accept Panathinaikos BC Superfoods's invitation to participate in this great event. The head coach of the Euroleague champions, Dimitris Itoudis, has more reasons than anyone to be delighted for his visit at the OAKA arena for the Diamonds Are Forever Tournament. Having worked for 13 absolutely successful years at Panathinaikos Superfoods as Zeliko Obradovic's right-hand man and having had a multiannual collaboration with Dimitris Diamantidis, he is looking forward to being there in our former captain's big moment.
Mr. Itoudis spoke to paobc.gr about the importance of his and CSKA's participation in the biggest ever friendly tournament in Europe, and, of course, about Dimitris Diamantidis.
Read the full interview:
- Mr. Itoudis, what is the main reason that you accepted Panathinaikos Superfoods 's invitation to the tournament in honour of Dimitris Diamantidis?
"We accepted the invitation for two, absolutely clear reasons. The first reason has to do with Panathinaikos BC as club. The second reason is Dimitris Diamantidis himself. It is going to be a great event and I personally as well as CSKA will be honoured to be there. For sure, it will also be a very competitive training tournament, but this is not the main reason for accepting the invitation."
- Can you think of three words that would describe Dimitris Diamantidis?
"I do not think that this man can be described with only three words. However, the first words that come to mind are: consistent, professional, winner."
- Is there a moment in Dimitris Diamantidis's career that you will not forget?
"There are many of them. It is an honour for me that I worked with him and lived from very close his development as an athlete and a person. Apart from the successes we achieved together, I saw his personal development through his marriage and his kids. Dimitris is a living example for the young athletes. A role model. As for the unforgettable moments, they were many. As members of Panathinaikos BC Superfoods we won many titles and had great moments."
How difficult will it be for Panathinaikos Superfoods and the Greek basketball in general to find the next Dimitris Diamantidis?
"Dimitris is a unique athlete and person. However, life goes on. Basketball in general and the club in specific have their history until now, and a future ahead. Team’s people, the administration and the coaches, know what they have to do to cover this huge loss. We cannot make comparisons because Dimitris is one and only. After all, basketball goes on. Panathinaikos BC Superfoods will act as a big club and the coaches will do what is necessary to replace him."
- How important for your team is the participation in a tournament with very competitive teams at a packed OAKA arena?
"As I said before, CSKA and I personally were pleased to accept the invitation to this tournament. As far as the team is concerned, the preseason preparation period will have started by then, we will be building our team and we will have some absences. As for me, the fact that I am going to be at an OAKA arena full of fans makes me happy, and everyone can understand why. It will definitely be a special moment for me."
