Greece NT for Eurobasket 2009

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Kazlauskas To Add New Wrinkles To Greece





New Greece coach Jonas Kazlauskas is a great admirer of the way the national team has played in recent years but he nevertheless plans to make some changes before they go for gold at this summer's EuroBasket in Poland.



The Greeks will compete in Poznan in Group A against Croatia, FYROM and Israel.



"There are a lot of good elements in the Greek team," the 54-year-old Kazlauskas said at his unveiling on Monday in Athens.



"As coach of the national team of China, I have faced Greece in recent years.



"The strongest point is the guards of the team and we would like to develop their dynamics.



"I have certain ideas, but it is too early to speak about these things now."



There wasn't much not to like about Greece when they were at their best under the legendary Panagiotis Yannakis, whose contract as coach of the national side expired after the Olympics.



They wore opponents down with tenacious defense, a relentless pounding of the boards and a patient, methodical approach on offense.



The Greeks also had a flair for the dramatic, including victories in two of the most famous games in recent international history.



At EuroBasket 2005, they made a stunning comeback in the final minute to upset France and then defeated Germany to capture the gold medal.



One year later and Greece travelled to Japan and shocked the United States 101-95 in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA World Championship.



Kazlauskas will try to incorporate what he liked best in the Greece teams of recent times but he will incorporate his own ideas, although the players won't know too much about the changes until they gather for the warm-ups ahead of Poland.



"I am a little bit different as a coach," Kazlauskas said.



"I want to add my own elements to the team. I believe that they work out well.



"I will try to take advantage of every good element, but I believe that at the end we'll have a different style.



"We must check all these things on the court. We cannot change everything in six weeks."



Kazlauskas did make a very interesting comment when asked what was missing from the national team.



"In China we lacked a point guard," he said.



"Maybe Greece lacks a player that will run the floor and shoot or a play that will lead to it.



"The Greek team is the best team in pick n' roll, but if someone stops it, then we have a problem.



"We have to prepare something different!"



One of the big questions about Greece is the make-up of the squad and whether or not Utah Jazz rookie Kostas Koufos or NCAA star Nick Calathes, a member of last year's Greece team at the U20 European Championship, will be involved.



"They surely are young and talented," Kazlauskas said.



"I haven't talked yet about the roster of the team with anyone so I wouldn't like to get more into it right now.



For sure we cannot leave talented players out of the team. But it's not proper to start giving out names at this time of season."



Kazlauskas spoke with pride and enthusiasm about his new role.



"It's a great honor for me to be the head coach of the Greek national team," he said.



"It's a great honor for every coach in the world to be in this place, precisely because we speak about the Greek team, which aims for the top in every competition.



"I will give all my knowledge and energy to continue its course of success."



Kazlauskas said that Yannakis had been in touch with him since the news broke of his appointment.



"He called me and he wished me all the best," Kazlauskas said.



"He supports me and I am happy for our good, friendly relationship."



FIBA Europe president and President Emeritus of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (HBF) George Vassilakopoulos offering encouraging words about Kazlauskas.



"I was chosen to present Mr Jonas Kazlauskas," he said.



"It's an easy task since Mr Kazlauskas is already well-known for his character, his ethics, his coaching ability, his personality. He has already left his mark on the world basketball."

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