PAOK will host Peristeri Betsson tomorrow (March 11, 18:00) at PAOK Sports Arena in the first quarterfinal game of the FIBA Europe Cup, with the two-game series set to determine one of the four tickets to the Semi Final of the competition.
The motivation within the team is high, as continuing in the competition is a common goal for everyone. PAOK’s preparation for this important game was carried out with that objective clearly in mind.
Head coach Pantelis Boutskos had all players available during today’s practice session, which was held in the presence of Andrea Trinchieri.
The Italian coach has returned to Thessaloniki and will attend tomorrow’s game against Peristeri Betsson.
Speaking about the upcoming matchup, PAOK head coach Pantelis Boutskos said:
“We are very eager and excited to start our series of games against Peristeri in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Europe Cup. The stakes are very high and the motivation is even greater, as we are aiming for qualification to the semifinals. It is a two-game series, so every possession is important. We must appear with the highest possible motivation and be mentally ready to take the first step.
It is very important that we will have our fans by our side. They give us a very special push. We need the energy they transfer from the stands to the court. Peristeri is a team with very good chemistry, excellent coaching guidance and notable results, and they deserve to be in the quarterfinals. They will be a tough opponent and all of us must push ourselves to the limit to take the first step.
Patience and persistence will be required throughout the game, both from us and from our fans, in order to achieve our goal.”
Peristeri’s delegation is expected to arrive in Thessaloniki later today and has scheduled practice sessions at PAOK Sports Arena, both tonight and tomorrow.
The referees for tomorrow’s game will be Sinisa Prpa (Serbia), Mehmet Sahin (Turkey) and Zoran Mitrovski (North Macedonia).