Saturday - September 2 (one day before big final of the WC’s with Spain)... We approach this final and begin preparation. That we excluded the USA in the semifianal is now history and put behind us. We are now ready to complete the final page, the one that will be remembered after 50 years! We are all united in our objective and I feel nothing exist that could disrupt us from understanding the seriousness of our task. Not even the absence of Gasol! In order that I am to cover all in the training we prepared for the final with Spain as if Gasol played also. That he was wounded in the semi’s does not change our scheme, neither do we depend on his absence. One of the secrets of our team is that we respect all opponents and all the players knowing that if you are not united in fight, you are in danger to lose even from the Qatars. It should also be remembered that we also loss a key player for the tournament in Zissis. Isn't this terrible loss for us? Is not he one of the best players in Europe? So do not say if only for the Gasol... Simply the Spanish lost their leader, while our own team does not have leader, but twelve, that at any time can take over a game. Against USA it was not one distinguished individual that determined our success but rather the common work of a team that brought the victory. We are proud for this in particular. I tried to explain this to Battier who I met shortly before USA Bronze final against Argentina. We met outside the auxiliary practice court, were we were beginning our training. Battier said that international basketball is very different from what they play in USA. Greece is supported in team work and in collaboration, while America in the individual characteristics. Our game is more organized, while theirs is more intense?. We spoke of winds and waters for almost an hour, I asked when he will return to Houston. We made an appointment for this October and I wished him good success in the bronze final. For those who think it is incredible that Greece did exclude the USA? When you are not afraid, in basketball all can happen. For now I go to the hotel and we calm down little, because the evening of Friday we did not close eye from the telephones and the messages. Tens of friends do not remember that we have six hours difference from Greece! In only hours all we be finished, I hope it is with the golden medal next to my chest! Vasilis
Its good to see he and Shane are talking and getting to know each other, i wonder where Yao is does anyone know if he's back in Tx already?
Hakeem had the same injury after an elbow to the face from Bill Cartwright. It's not career threatening. Just need's time for the orbital socket to heal up.
