2009 Greek National Team

[AdamTheGreek]

What do you mean? Calathes in Florida, went to UF. And Koufos in Ohio (went to Ohio State). Koufos has been apart of NT duties for 2 years now.

[jt142]

What do you mean? Calathes in Florida, went to UF. And Koufos in Ohio (went to Ohio State). Koufos has been apart of NT duties for 2 years now.

I mean they both were born and raised in the states, in addition to learning to play the game here. I have no problem with them representing Greece, but they're both products of the American basketball system. They represent Greece in international tourneys, but they're not representatives of the Greek developmental system. Because they're American, I hope Calathes and Koufos both have successful international careers for Greece. I'd certainly rather cheer for an international team using American players than one without any. For this reason alone, I hope Greece wins the Euro Championship.

[Greek]

What do you mean? Calathes in Florida, went to UF. And Koufos in Ohio (went to Ohio State). Koufos has been apart of NT duties for 2 years now.

I mean they both were born and raised in the states, in addition to learning to play the game here. I have no problem with them representing Greece, but they're both products of the American basketball system. They represent Greece in international tourneys, but they're not representatives of the Greek developmental system. Because they're American, I hope Calathes and Koufos both have successful international careers for Greece. I'd certainly rather cheer for an international team using American players than one without any. For this reason alone, I hope Greece wins the Euro Championship.

Well even US had on the NT NON American players. The best Greek player ever learn to play in US too (Galis) Considering how small country we are, our developmental system is really good. Some times we need some boost from GREEK players that are coming from outside of the country, but still. Russia used an American player too. Maybe the basketball association is the only sports association in the country that does some work

[cocheesetim]

Do you have the complete 2009 Greek National Team schedule or know where I can find it?

I'm a Jazz fan and am interested to see the development of Kosta.

[I Feel Devotion]

Do you have the complete 2009 Greek National Team schedule or know where I can find it?

I'm a Jazz fan and am interested to see the development of Kosta.

Here are the upcoming preparation games.

8/24: Greece - Serbia - Acropolis Tournament
8/25: Greece - Lithuania - Acropolis Tournament
8/26: Greece - Russia - Acropolis Tournament

8/29: Greece - Bulgaria - Maribor, Slovenia
8/30: Greece - Slovenia - Maribor, Slovenia


It appears that Koufos will be used as a backup PF. Although the final team has not yet been even announced. However, with many injured Greek players that have dropped out he is sure to play at the Eurobasket.

The Eurobasket schedule can be seen here:

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/cid_to ... _2009.html

So far this summer in Greece's games, Koufos has had in game 1 against Romania 13 points. In game 2 versus Romania he had 15 points. In game 3 against Serbia no box score was kept. In game 4 against Latvia he had 9 points and 4 rebounds.

[I Feel Devotion]

Yes, Romania is not very good. I would like to see Greece against Slovenia or Croatia.

They have also beat Serbia by 11 points (no box score was kept though just the points margin). And they also have beat Latvia by 80-52.

[Greek]

Considering that our 2 best players are not playing, (both PG's), the coach thoughts is to use more our deep big men rotation, but there we have only Big Sofo to playing with his back, and he cant play more than 15 minutes, i can see like 15 minutes for Kosta for sure he is also our best or 2nd best shot blocker. He also looks that has very good chemistry with Calathes, who is showing that he can be the NT PG for the years to come. He is amazing on the open court, and his court vision is outstanding

[I Feel Devotion]

Considering that our 2 best players are not playing, (both PG's), the coach thoughts is to use more our deep big men rotation, but there we have only Big Sofo to playing with his back, and he cant play more than 15 minutes, i can see like 15 minutes for Kosta for sure he is also our best or 2nd best shot blocker. He also looks that has very good chemistry with Calathes, who is showing that he can be the NT PG for the years to come. He is amazing on the open court, and his court vision is outstanding

I don't think Greece is missing their two best players. At this time I would take Spanoulis, Fotsis, Zisis all over Papaloukas and I would take Spanoulis over Diamantidis. So while Papaloukas and Diamantidis can certainly be missed and so can also Vasilopoulos, I think they can all be replaced also. Just look at the perimeter players like Kalambokis, Calathes, Perperoglou and they certainly have the quality to replace those three.

Now of course with Diamantidis, Vasilopoulos, and Pelekanos all gone from the team the defense of the perimeter will be much worse though, but at the same time there will also be much more offense from there. And the old coach was more to defense and the new coach more to offense so I think it should be OK.

[I Feel Devotion]

Serbia beat Greece 83-82.

box score

http://www.galanissportsdata.com/basket ... asp?game=3

Although Bourousis did not play so this game probably doesn't do much to gauge where both teams are at. Serbia lacks PG depth but they are still very talented. For Greece, Koufos and Calathes got exposed against a good opponent. Calathes can't organize a game, can't defend, and can't handle defensive pressure. He can't make smart decisions for his team in half court, and changes the game rhythm too much by trying to make plays on his own.

Koufos plays zero defense and is getting abused badly by other players. Against a good opponent in a game that was more serious than the first Serbia-Greece game (that was unofficial), it showed that Schortsanitis was the only big man that could score in the low post and Spanoulis was once again the only Greek player that could take the ball on is own and create offense by himself.

Serbia on the other hand still has some soft big men and no real help for Teodosic at point guard. Considering Bourousis did not play I would say that right now Greece looks to be maybe the 2nd best team that be at Eurobasket and Serbia is maybe around the 5th to 6th best. Greece won't be able to beat Spain because Koufos and Calathes don't appear to be ready for this level yet.

[Apollo64]

Serbia beat Greece 83-82.

box score

http://www.galanissportsdata.com/basket ... asp?game=3

Although Bourousis did not play so this game probably doesn't do much to gauge where both teams are at. Serbia lacks PG depth but they are still very talented. For Greece, Koufos and Calathes got exposed against a good opponent. Calathes can't organize a game, can't defend, and can't handle defensive pressure. He can't make smart decisions for his team in half court, and changes the game rhythm too much by trying to make plays on his own.

Koufos plays zero defense and is getting abused badly by other players. Against a good opponent in a game that was more serious than the first Serbia-Greece game (that was unofficial), it showed that Schortsanitis was the only big man that could score in the low post and Spanoulis was once again the only Greek player that could take the ball on is own and create offense by himself.

Serbia on the other hand still has some soft big men and no real help for Teodosic at point guard. Considering Bourousis did not play I would say that right now Greece looks to be maybe the 2nd best team that be at Eurobasket and Serbia is maybe around the 5th to 6th best. Greece won't be able to beat Spain because Koufos and Calathes don't appear to be ready for this level yet.

I agree that this game didn't show the true state of both teams, since it was a friendly with a lot of experimental lineups. I disagree about Koufos and Calathes. Koufos is fine as a PF along another big, as he is fast for his size, a good help defender and creates mismatch problems. He is ok for 15 mins in the rotation. Calathes actually played mighty well, but only for 14 mins total, he should be playing up to 25 mins imo. When he was on court, we were outscoring Serbia a bunch.

When we play Serbia again, i expect an easy win.

[I Feel Devotion]

Greece and Serbia played again for the 3rd time, but this time during the actual Acropolis Tournament with the cup on the line. Bourousis played this time. It was another game that went down to the last possession.

Greece won 66-65, here is the box score:

http://www.galanissportsdata.com/basket ... asp?game=2

Supposedly, Printezis, Koufos, and Calathes are all going to be NBA players but they sure don't look like it. Not one of them is ready for this Eurobasket level yet. Actually, they are all getting exposed pretty badly. Greece is almost entirely dependent on Spanoulis, Zisis, Fotsis, Bourousis, Perperoglou, and Schortsanitis. And especially dependent on Spanoulis, Zisis, and Bourousis. Even more than that it appears Spanoulis and Zisis will have to carry Greece themselves most of the time.

Serbia is hard to figure out. They really have a lot of good players and are really deep but there is not a single star on the team, not one guy that can take a game over, not one guy that can lead an offense. Teodosic looks to definitely be their best player and you won't go far when your best player is 22.

[cocheesetim]

Thank you for posting the box scores. However, I'm curious as to why there are only 3 quarters listed in each box score?

[I Feel Devotion]

Thank you for posting the box scores. However, I'm curious as to why there are only 3 quarters listed in each box score?

No, those are not quarters. 1 is for free throws taken, 2 is for 2 point field goals taken (unlike NBA box scores that does NOT count all field goal attempts - just 2 point attempts), 3 is for 3 point field goals taken.

[I Feel Devotion]

Greece beat Russia 71-63. Greece mostly played the bench in this game. Russia doesn't look very good right now. I think they will have a hard time at Eurobasket.

http://www.galanissportsdata.com/basket ... asp?game=4

[AdamTheGreek]

No Kirilenko or Holden makes a massive difference.

[I Feel Devotion]

Serbia beat Russia and Greece beat Lithuania.

So for the Acropolis Cup the results were:

1. Greece
2. Serbia
3. Lithuania
4. Russia

Spanoulis got his 2nd Acropolis MVP

Russia looks really bad right now. Sofo got injured during the Greece and Lithuania game. Another blow for them when Koufos, Printezis, and Calathes (despite being projected as NBA players) have already proven they are not ready for this level yet.

[I Feel Devotion]

Greece beat Bulgaria 100-73. They play Slovenia next.

[john2jer]

Thank you for posting the box scores. However, I'm curious as to why there are only 3 quarters listed in each box score?

On the left where it says quarters? That's the score after each quarter, and the final is at the top in bold. There are 4 quarters.

[gofret]

Can sofo play 25-30 mins? I have heard alot about his conditioning.

[AdamTheGreek]

20-25 is what I want from him this tourney, and he's lost a ton of weight to accomplish it.

We got raped in the 4th quarter of our Slovenia game, guys just fell asleep. Might be a hidden blessing though. Slovenia definitely has a chance to medal.