Yannis: "If we win the Euroleague once or twice, I did my thing" Israel today

Yannis Sapropoulos returned pride to Maccabi after a difficult period • Now he tells about his family, the love on the street, and why you will not find him on social media

The decision to replace the

new red dress with a yellow dress, just before I leave the house, turns out to be especially wise as soon as I sit down at a table with Yannis Sapropoulos, the coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv, at a restaurant in the port.

"You chose very well," says the Greek, smiling broadly with white teeth.

He means every word.

Then he asks for a kebab, because he is a die-hard meat lover, but today there is no kebab on the menu, so Yannis will compromise on a dish of seafood and order me a glass of wine.

For people who recognize him and smile at him - mostly men, but also women do not remain indifferent - he will smile back, and also take selfies with whoever asks, while keeping a close eye on Corona.

He is 53 years old,

but looks ten years younger than his age, and is mostly equipped with large amounts of personal charm.

These are not just the things he says, but the way he says them: seriousness, restraint, modesty, gentlemanliness.

His hair is always meticulous and greased with gel - while playing, on a flight or in a restaurant.

For every game he comes in a suit, even for league games with a small crowd, which his colleagues from other teams pay less attention to.

And after he insists on paying the bill (plus a respectable tip), when the photographer asks him to go down to the beach at 2pm, 35 degrees in the shade - Yannis carefully folds the tailored pants, takes off his leather shoes, takes off his socks and walks on the sand in the scorching sun, without tweeting .

That's how his parents taught him, "to respect everyone."

You will never catch him yelling, bragging or pulling from the waist: it's just not the man.

Most not full of himself, most not Israeli.

And this is probably the secret of his charm, and what immediately bought him the love of the temple.

While there were still games with an audience here, the fans greeted him before each game with rhythmic shouts of "Yannis, Yannis";

Sometimes the calls came back even at the end of games in which the team showed a fighting spirit, even if it eventually lost.

Unsurprisingly, when the corona landed in Israel, Yannis made a strategic decision: to stay here with his wife Maria (53) and son Anastnis (17) and not return to Greece.

The second son, Sabos, 23, named after Yannis' father, is studying business administration in Miami.

"My and my family's lives are in Tel Aviv," he says.

"We are connected to the lives of Israelis, and Israel is a safe country. Now there may be more infected, but it is still a very safe country, even though the people here are very sociable and it is difficult for them to keep their distance.

"Only in the summer I went to Greece, for a short visit to my only brother, George, who lives in Thessaloniki and also serves as my agent. He is 50, three years younger than me. We keep in touch by phone, I consult with him, but during periods when I am very busy I have not "Time for phone calls, not even with him. There are times in the season when I barely talk on the phone. My friends from Greece and Israel call, and I can't talk, I'm focused on work."

Are you worried about the corona?

"Yes, I'm a little worried. Hopefully it will not hurt basketball here and in Europe beyond what has already been hurt. We, at Maccabi and our families, are taking every precaution to be saved. I myself am very careful. When the corona was still in China and everyone said it was an epidemic coming to Europe, I already started Get ready, I bought masks and alcohol. Because you have to be prepared in advance. I believe you have to take such things seriously and treat them. An epidemic can be very dangerous, especially in the beginning, when it comes to a new virus.

"I'm not afraid of the corona, but I'm a disciplined person. As I'm disciplined in basketball, so am I in my life. I followed the instructions and instructions given in Israel and did what the government said."

How did you keep in touch with the players during the first closure?

"I was in touch with everyone at Zoom, and we did meetings and training. We gave the players sports equipment so they could train at home. We tried to do the best we could to keep them fit."

"He who is wet is not afraid of rain" 

(Greek proverb)

The Corona interrupted Maccabi's successful season, even if not easy.

The start was promising, full staff and excellent achievements in the league and in Europe, until the injuries started.

The first to get injured was Omri Caspi, followed by Black, Bryant, Walters, Dibertolomeo, Wilbkin, Hunter, Sussman, Acey - like a tower of cards, key players collapsed one after another, almost every week.

In some games, the coach had to bring to the field strange vehicles that had never been tried, including bench players who had not played in the Euroleague until then.

The team brought in three reinforcement players, who were signed by the end of the season - Aaron Jackson, Jaylen Reynolds and Amara Studmeier.

Despite the injuries, Maccabi continued to fight.

When the Euroleague games were stopped because of the Corona, it was in fifth place with a balance of 19 wins and nine losses, and had already secured its participation in the playoffs.

Everyone spoke of her as an almost certain candidate to reach the Final Four.

"We had a very good season. After five years we managed to get to the playoffs, we played well, and we were hungry to get more. The epidemic changed all plans. It was very disappointing. On the other hand, you know, we have nothing to do, it's out of our control."

Could you reach the Final Four?

Maybe win the European Cup?

"I do not like to present hypothetical, positive or negative hypotheses. I very much hope so, but I do not know. This team has potential. We always want a Final Four, but step by step. In my experience, I was in three Final Fours and played in three finals in my previous teams. "If at the right moment you are in the 'zone', in your best condition - you will arrive."

Then, at the end of May, it is announced that the Euroleague is canceled, and the Israeli league returns.

How do you deal with such a mental blow?

"I tried to be positive in the difficult times and convince them that for our benefit, we should do the best job we could. It was hard to convince them to play. They were afraid of the corona, we did not know anything yet, we heard all kinds of alarming reports from the world. They were under pressure forever, and psychologically, Man, they were in an inhuman state, after prolonged isolation. It's not easy. They could not do anything, just come from home for training or play, and that's it. You can not go for a walk, see the sea and clear your head, and that's a problem. The players were sad. "It was difficult for them."

Before the Euroleague decided on the fate of the season, Shimon Mizrahi said that if the games resume, Maccabi will not play in the league.

What did you think of that?

"In Maccabi we are a family. What the president says, I follow him. I respect the Israeli league, we are an Israeli club, but the Euroleague is the league of all countries. It will not be good for Maccabi not to participate in the Euroleague, just as Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid or Olympiacos are not good to miss. "There is nothing to expand on because it did not happen. The conflict was of schedules, it is a problem at the organizational level, and there it needs to be resolved, not at the level of the players or the coach."

Do you think the Euroleague's decision not to renew the games was a mistake?

"No, it was the right decision. When you play in Europe, it's a problem. You have to coordinate between all the clubs, which come from all sorts of places. At that time, the epidemic was raging in many countries - Italy, Spain, Russia. CSKA Moscow's doctor died of corona.

It was impossible to continue like this.

"It's different when you talk about one country. In a local league it's easy to end the season, because you can relatively control everything. It was right to renew the league in Israel, as they did in Spain and Germany. I thought we had to play a shorter period, finish earlier, to have "Enough time to rest for next season. The players finished the season in a state of exhaustion, they did not have enough rest for this season."

Despite what you say, Maccabi was very angry about the renewal of the league, while other leagues in Europe were canceled.

This created resentment in the players as well.

"The players wanted to come back, but they wanted to be sure that their health was maintained. They were afraid that it was impossible not to touch or keep a distance in the game, that was a problem. The administration did everything possible to be safe, but I think more teams had to do corona tests. "Like they do at Maccabi. We do a lot of tests."

In the series against Hapoel Tel Aviv, the first game in the arena, in which you won, came very hard.

Were you afraid you were going to lose?

"Absolutely not. I always think positive, no matter who we play against. I thought that even if we lose one game, we can win the next games. And that's exactly what happened after the second game, where we lost on the field of Hapoel. A championship is not something you are sure it is. In your hands; if you say it to yourself, you will lose it. Being a champion in your country is not easy, and sports are an unexpected thing, anything can happen. There really were moments in the playoffs that we played with seven players, and it was a big challenge for all of us. Overcome this bad situation. "

How do you explain last season's injury blow?

Could it be that something was wrong with the preparation?

"I do not think so. When you play 82 games a season, it is normal to have a lot of injuries. It has happened in other teams as well, not just in Maccabi. Every team that withstands such a load has many injuries.

"There are injuries that are just bad luck, not caused by a player doing something wrong, but just from a bad fall. We are committed to playing all the games, and it just happened to us."

"Cat with gloves does not catch mice" 

(Greek proverb)

Yannis is highly regarded by the team's management.

Last December, his contract was extended for another two years, with an option for another season.

He will earn $ 750,000 per season - the highest salary for a coach in the history of the team.

At the signing ceremony, Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman Shimon Mizrahi said of him: "In my many years at the club, I have never seen a person who was absorbed so quickly and positively, received Maccabi's DNA and knew how to pass it on to all players - positive and energetic basketball and sacrifice for the club." .

In the season and a half that Yannis coaches Maccabi, he marched it to two championships, but twice missed the state cup to Hapoel Jerusalem.

In 2019, the team failed to reach the playoffs of the Euroleague, and this year secured its place in the playoffs, but the games were canceled.

Maccabi won the national championship after defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv in the quarterfinals series, defeating Hapoel Gilboa / Galil in the semifinals and defeating Maccabi Rishon Lezion in the final.

After the return of the corona lag, and even before the end of the season, Maccabi released four players: Jackson, Reynolds, Walters and Black.

After winning the championship, Jake Cohen was released, and Danny Abdia left for the NBA.

But Yannis sought - and achieved - the retention of all others: Wilbkin (who leads the list of earners in the team and in Israel in general, with $ 1.7 million per season), Hunter, Dorsey, Cloiaro, captain Dibertolomeo, Bryant, Sussman, Sandy Cohen, and youngsters Dori Sahar and Jonathan Atias .

Omri Caspi, who was disabled most of the season due to injuries, is also expected to return to play.

At the same time, four new players were brought in: the Croatian Ante Žižić, who was also a candidate for Real Madrid;

Chris Jones, who came from Turkey;

Oz Blazer, who played for Maccabi Rishon Lezion;

And Idan Alber, who grew up in youth, was loaned to Nes Ziona and is now returning to Maccabi.

Maccabi has won two preseason games in the last two weeks - against Hapoel Holon and Hapoel Haifa.

On Saturday it will open the 2021-2020 season in the Winner Basket Cup quarterfinals.

Next Thursday it will start the Euroleague season - without a crowd, of course - in a home game against Alba Berlin.

The Israeli league is expected to open on October 17.

"We are very excited and already looking forward to playing the first game," says Yannis.

"All the teams finished last season late, and we may not start the new season in top form, but that's normal. I can't wait any longer."

What are your goals this season?

"We are fighting for all the goals and want to win them all - the Winner's Cup, the National Cup, the Championship and the Euroleague. We want four trophies. It will not be easy, but we will try to do our best. We hope everyone is healthy and can compete for all the goals."

Will you reach the Final Four this season?

"I do not know. I can not guarantee a Final Four for this season. We are building a team, and the team depends on many things. If you have injuries in moments of truth, then everything you built will not help. With Olympiacos I was twice in the Final Four, and we had four or five playoff injuries. , And we did not reach the goal. So I can not promise. I know the fans want to hear me promise to come, but I can not. We will try, it's sure. Maybe we will reach this year, and maybe next year.

"My goal for the next five years is for Maccabi to be nominated for the Final Four every year, and if it qualifies for the Final Four three times and wins the cup once or twice - I did my thing. I think about that."

Do you have a better team today than last season?

"Yes. On the one hand we lost Danny Abdia, and other players who were not left. But luckily, we managed to keep 11 players from last season, the key players. They know my game philosophy, they know what I want from them, and I know what they can give the team. Every year we want even more, and it's important for us to continue our work.

"We brought in Žižić, Jones, Blazer and Albert, and I want one or two more. There are contacts with Studmeier, who is in the United States.

He might sign and get on a plane soon.

We'll see what happens to Quincy Acey.

We will do what is necessary for them to continue in the group.

With both of us we will be 17 players.

There are also Israeli actors that I follow, so that in the future we might do something with them.

"My goal is not to build a team of fireworks that will rise and then crash. My goal is to build a team that will last forever. Well, not forever, but a strong team that will last for many years. The owners keep the team, and that means continuity, and I love it. Just like that. You can get better.If you change the lineup every year, this is not the right way.Maybe in a certain year you will have momentum and reach the Final Four, but then everyone will leave and be left with nothing, and you will have to start all over again.

"I do not want that. I want stability among the team and the players. I want to see good basketball from now on, like last year. I want Maccabi to be a candidate for the Final Four, and if we get there - we will fight very hard to win."

Why did you release Tariq Black?

You do not need it?

"No. With Žižić we do not need him. We have the Hunter, and maybe Amara will come too, and then we will be very strong in that position."

Omri Caspi fit?

This will be his last season, do you think?

"I hope this will not be his last season, I think he has a lot more basketball to give. He started last season very well, then he had bad luck with the knee. It happened to him after ten years in the NBA. When you play so much Playing in the NBA, at a huge load, it can happen, and now he's working hard to get back in shape.

"We are optimistic about him, we want him to come back and play, but we do not know when that will happen. The doctors do not know either. We do not want him to come back for a few games and then sit again. We want him to come back at the right time, when he is ready. I give him time. That he needs, because I believe in him and believe that he can give the team extra strength. "

Which teams do you think are the most threatening in the Euroleague this season?

CSKA, Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, Anadolu, Olympiacos and possibly Panathinaikos.

And also the Armenians of Milan, who invested a lot of money.

In total there are 12-10 teams that are strong rivals, and 6-5 teams with a big budget.

It will not be easy.

It's never easy. "

You're said to be the best defensive coach in Europe.

You agree?

"I do not know if I am the best, I know I believe in defense. In the United States it is said that defense gives victories, and an attack provides fun and enjoyment to the crowd.

My game philosophy is to combine the two.

I am happy that Maccabi is better in defense in my time, and that is a big difference in its game compared to once.

Defense is not just on one side of the field, and in my style, thanks to the defense become better on offense as well.

This is something that my team and I are trying to give to Maccabi.

We have seen in many of our games that we score easily thanks to the defense.

"Good defense gives you the strength you need on offense, and then you can score a lot - more than 90-80 points, and even 100. So that means our method is successful."

Recently, "Israel Today" published the players' salary tables, which revealed huge gaps.

Yuval Sussman earns $ 140,000, almost the least on the team, while other players receive five times and even ten times as much from him.

It does not seem fair.

"It happens in every team. Even if at certain moments there is an unbalanced situation, in the future whoever continues to work hard and be stable will get the same salary. Every athlete should know that if he works hard, he too will get a salary that reflects his value."

How is the group coping financially with the new situation, that there are no sales of subscriptions and tickets?

"We have cut 30 percent in the budget, and we will do the best we can in the new budget. The owners put a hand in their pocket and brought more money, for which I thank them very much. It is not easy to bring more money from home.

"It's hard for all teams to exist without ticket sales, all teams will have problems, and our owners are doing their best. They support the team exceptionally and have flowed a lot of money to maintain the team's lineup and create continuity, as I requested. If you want to reach the top, you must That continuity. "

Speaking of continuity, you said in the past that you want Maccabi to go back to the days of Mickey Berkowitz and Moti Aroasti.

Are you in touch with them?

"I know them and Doron Jamchi, who today serves as VP of Marketing and Community Relations.

Today I see them at basketball events because I don’t go out much.

We talk about Maccabi and how it was, and they advise me about today's Maccabi.

I'm always happy to hear their opinion of the team. "

"Know thyself" 

He was born in Thessaloniki in 1967.

The eldest son of Katrina, a housewife, and Lesbians, who was a famous footballer and played for Olympiacos and the Greek national team.

After his retirement, the father changed careers and became a dentist.

"I had a sports family. My dad played football, and my mom loved watching football and basketball games. When my brother and I played as kids, she would come see us."

Yannis started playing basketball at the age of 12 at Apollon Calamarias.

From the age of 14 he played in the club's youth team, and later moved on to the senior team, which played in the second division in Greece.

"At that time I still thought I would be a dentist when I grew up, like my father. He had a clinic waiting for me, only I would finish my studies. In Greece you choose what to study at the university and take entrance exams. I tried to get accepted to dentistry and physical education at the University of Thessaloniki. I passed the physical education exams. "I gave up the dental exams."

At the age of 19, he became a player-coach at Apollon Kalmarias.

"I didn't think about being a professional basketball coach. I just knew I would work hard. I coached kids for two years, and then I moved on to coach professional teams."

Did you know right away that this is your vocation?

"Immediately. I fell in love with coaching from the first moment. I'm glad I turned my love of basketball into a profession. It's a luxury, that your love is also your job. If you work hard, and learn, and strive every day to be better, and dedicate your life to this goal - life will reward you. ".

Until he landed at Maccabi, Yannis managed to record appearances as the coach of the senior team of Apollon Kalmarias, from which he progressed to the position of assistant coach at PAOK Thessaloniki (alongside coach Zvika Sharaf).

The next stop was Olympiacos, where he worked for three years as an assistant coach, among others under Pini Gershon.

In the summer of 2006 he tried his hand as assistant coach in Cleveland in the summer league, then returned to Greece, to coach Colossus Rhodes from the first division.

"It was not easy for me there," he says.

"It was my first job as head coach, and I stressed myself and the team because I really wanted to be successful. Whenever I do something, I want to do my best and say I gave it my heart."

The next stops were CSKA Moscow (2011) as assistant coach, a short episode as assistant coach at the Houston Rockets (2012), and then two years as coach of Panionios Athens. In 2014 he landed as coach of Olympiacos, a position he held until 2018. At the same time, he served as assistant coach of the Greek national team. Terms, including at the Athens Olympics ("It was a great honor for me").

During his tenure as Olympiacos coach he achieved two championships in Greece (2015, 2016) and two finals in the Euroleague (2015, 2017).

In November 2018, after the dismissal of Nevan Spahija from Maccabi, Sapropoulos came to fill the gap created in the position of head coach.

"Maccabi is known as a club with pressure, and I knew it when I came," he says.

"It does not bother me, I like pressure. I do not like to work in a place where there is no pressure, where if you win or lose it is the same."

His mother Katrina died of an illness in 2014, at the age of 72. Four years later his father died of a stroke, at the age of 82. "My parents saw me in my previous teams and were very proud of me. Unfortunately, they did not get to see me at Maccabi. I'm sure they would love Tel Aviv, it is a warm and friendly city, with sun, beaches and great food. "

"Man by nature is a social animal" 

(Aristotle)

From the first moment, a special bond was forged between Yannis and Maccabi fans, one that was previously reserved mainly for Israeli coaches who marched the team far.

They appreciated the investment, dedication and modesty, and wrapped him in love.

"The fans really supported me from my first Euroleague game in the arena," says Yannis.

"It was a game against Fenerbahce, on November 22, 2018. We lost 74:70, and still, the fans applauded me at the end and called my name. The way they showed me their love moved me greatly.

"I'm grateful to the fans, and I love them back. Many of them have my cell phone, and some send me text messages. On the street there are those who shout at me 'Congratulations' or 'I love you'. It's very nice. There are those who ask me for a selfie. I I'm happy to be photographed with them, only now in Corona I keep my distance. "

How do you explain the warm bond between you and the fans?

"Greece and Israel are similar, it's a similar mentality of the people. Both the Greeks and the Israelis are very warm, open, do not keep their distance, willing to give the world joy and smiles. Besides, I will never lie to the fans. I will always tell them the truth, and not say anything they want "To hear if he is not true. From my first moment at Maccabi, I am very yes."

More than once you spoke of the audience as the "sixth actor."

How would you function in the Euroleague without the crowd?

"It's really a big minus for us. The crowd is our strength, and we'm very happy to have such great fans, who support the club. It's a big disappointment that they will not be next to us in the hall, and on the other hand, we want to succeed to give them the joy of victory. "Last season, when we missed them and won the championship for them, and they celebrated that night outside Menorah Hall. It really moved me. I am very excited about all the actions of the fans, of what they do for the club. I am proud of them and love them."

What do you think about the abusive songs against Shimon Mizrahi, sung by fans of other teams, and especially Hapoel Tel Aviv?

"It's unbelievable. I know it from Greece, it happens there too, and it's not good. I do not like these songs, I oppose it one thousand percent, but I'm not the person who has to make decisions about changing the punishment. Personally, I respect the The other clubs, including Hapoel Tel Aviv and their fans, and for me it is important that they respect everyone.

"Shimon Mizrahi is a legend not only in Maccabi, but in Israeli basketball. He dedicated his life to Maccabi. The 50 years he is in the team are years of glory, and he must receive respect from everyone. It is terrible to sing abusive songs about anyone, it is a shame that someone sings such songs. "After all, if you do not respect the other, you will not be able to be as good as him. If you do not respect someone, how can you be like him?"

"Oneness causes power,

He has been with his wife, Maria, for 35 years.

Since high school.

"We were in the same class together, and I invited her one evening to a disco, with a lot of friends and girlfriends. But I made sure in advance that not everyone would come, so that we would be just the two of us," he smiles broadly.

"We got married when we were 28 and moved into our own house in Thessaloniki."

What is the secret of your relationship?

"We have been together for many, many years, because we both really understand, respect and love each other. We are very happy together. When you find your yin-yang, that's enough."

She moved in with you wherever you worked?

"Yes, she and the boys always traveled with me."

Maria is a housewife ("She used to be a very good basketball player").

The eldest son, Subs, named after Yannis' father, is studying for an MBA at the Miami Business School, after winning a scholarship ("he's a smart guy, and he's not into basketball").

The youngest son, Anstanis, came with his parents when they moved to Israel and lives with them in Ramat Aviv, in an apartment made available to them by the club.

"He loves basketball, already at the age of 5 or 6 he played basketball, and would come with me to the courts. He is not very tall, like me, but he plays in the guard position. He trains with the youth team of Maccabi Tel Aviv and also plays in the high school where he studies, at school The American in Even Yehuda. My dream for him is to play basketball and have fun, but I'm not one of the fathers to push the kid to do something. I do not see him play in the Euroleague or the NBA, but I see him play basketball and enjoy it. At some point he will reach the highest point. I can, I do not know what that point will be. "

Maybe he's going to be a coach, like you?

"Maybe. I tell him not to do it, because it's a very difficult profession."

But there are also beautiful moments.

"There are, few. Most of the time there is pressure, and the coach is always worried, he always thinks about the next day. Even after a victory, the coach is not always satisfied, satisfied or happy. He thinks about the next game, or how a particular player should play better.

"Sometimes a coach can't control everything, but there are reasons that make it impossible to succeed. I believe that if you give your best, it's the way to reach the highest ranks. You may not reach the goal straight, but if you persevere, you will step up. When you fail and fail. You wanted to, you're just getting better for the next time you try again. "

What kind of father are you?

"I miss a lot of home because I'm invested in a career. I lost a lot of time with my kids, and it's hard, but it's the price of a career. I counted recently and found out that in total, 100 days a year I'm not home, because of travel abroad.

It's a third of the year.

"I grew up in a working class family. We had a nice life, but we learned to live with the good and the bad, with a lot and with a little, and get along in any situation. Thanks to that I can today enjoy the best restaurants, and I can also live in a tent and enjoy it.

"My wife is like that too, and that's how we raised the children. They are not spoiled, they work hard, because we told them 'no' many times. For example, when they were 12 and wanted a cell phone, we said no. When our youngest son asked for a car recently, we told him : 'Work, get money for yourself, then we'll help you buy a car' ".

How does your wife feel about the long absences?

"My wife is our supporter, the back of the whole family. First of all the children, then mine."

Indeed, when he tries to recall the name of the restaurant where they recently ate, he immediately calls "my secretary, Maria," and she pulls out the information from her memory.

Does your wife come to Maccabi games?

"Of course, she came to all the games. We also learned some Hebrew together, we took private lessons in the first year here."

And why did you stop?

"The problem is me, I do not have time for our lessons. Now I am learning from the Israelis in the group, I already know a little, especially slang. 'All right', 'Very nice'. I know less to speak, but understand not bad."

"Time is precious"

(Another Greek proverb)

Yannis took advantage of the summer to prepare for the upcoming season.

"Me and my team had some time because there were no games. We didn't go anywhere, we didn't do scouting, we just concentrated on working on the field and improving the players, to make them even better, and make the team work even better and faster."

What has your schedule looked like so far?

"I start the morning working from home. I have a part that is an office, and I work there from 9 in the morning until 12. At noon I eat something small at home and go to training. I am there for two hours, meet with my staff, and then there is a two-hour training. I sit for another hour with the team and we analyze the training.

"I come home at 8pm, have dinner with my wife and son and then work. I go to bed around 1 at night. I sleep five hours, that's enough for me.

"Abroad it is completely different.

After a Euroleague game, I eat something and only go to bed at 3 in the morning, after the adrenaline goes down.

In the morning, we usually return to Israel. "

Yannis may have slept five hours a day, but did not rest for a moment.

"My head works 24 hours. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of sleep and write notes for myself. That's how it is all the time, every hour. I wake up at all sorts of weird hours."

You kind of shatter the image of the Greeks, who like to rest.

"The Greeks know how to live life, like the Israelis. But they work hard, not like the image they have. They are not lazy. The Greeks and the Israelis are very similar."

What are your hobbies, other than basketball?

"Nothing. I'm not doing anything. Just working."

Do you dedicate your life to basketball?

Basketball is your life?

"Yes".

Watching TV?

"I saw on Netflix the series about Michael Jordan, when we were in the first closure. I read about basketball, and I listen to music, depending on my mood. I usually listen to pop and rock from the '80s and' 90s, but I really like '' "Tel Aviv, Ya Habibi, Tel Aviv." But I really do not know how to do anything but basketball. My wife takes care of the bills and errands, and I only concentrate on work. When I want to clear my head, I can cook pasta or make something small on the grill. That's it. "

Do you go out with friends?

"Usually not, neither for coffee nor anywhere. It has always been like that. In previous years I would travel in the summer with the family to Greece and threaten, for about ten days. There I clear my head."

Do you read articles about yourself?

talkbacks?

"No, because I do not read Hebrew, but in fact I did not read in Greece either. I do not have time."

And are not told you?

"I do not want to be told. I do not want to be affected by it. I also do not have social networks, neither Facebook nor Instagram. I know I am one of the last who do not. But when I do my job, I do not want interruptions. And if you start reading anything And follow everything, check what was written about you here and what was written about you there, you miss your main goal - to be calm and do the best job. I work the way I believe in and it is good for Maccabi Tel Aviv. I respect other opinions, but do not want To be influenced by them. "

do you have friends in Israel?

"I have a lot of friends, both in Greece and in Israel, most of them in basketball and some of them not from the field at all. But I do not have time to meet them. Friends are like stars - they are always there, but you see them here and there. On Friday nights we sometimes host friends." .

Do you go to restaurants?

"Yes. I sometimes eat at 'Place of Meat'. I like to sit in Neve Tzedek and eat sushi, and also at 'Yasu', a good Greek restaurant on Hayarkon Street. We also eat at Italian restaurants like 'Cafe Italia' and 'Quattro'."

"When you are promised a lot of

(Last Greek proverb)

What decision in your life are you most proud of?

"In my decision to come to Maccabi Tel Aviv."

What decision in your life do you regret?

"I don't think I made the wrong decisions in my life. I made decisions after thinking deeply about all the parameters. I consult mostly with myself and my wife, and sometimes with my brother."

You're not sorry you did not stay in the

"No. It's a league of players, not coaches. And I want to coach, not be another person in the system."

Tell me about one of your mistakes as a coach.

"As a coach you make mistakes all the time. You make a thousand decisions in the game, and not all of them can be right. For example, when a substitution I made failed, it's my mistake. But I correct later, put in another player. In general, I try to learn from mistakes and not come back. About them, and also learns from the mistakes of others.I look at what other coaches do and try to learn from their mistakes.

"One of my principles in life is to try to be better every day. Every moment I get to a good point, it's not enough for me. I want to get better and rise to an even higher level. I still want to get better and smarter, and I feel like I'm learning every day.

What are you hurt by?

"I do not like lies. I do not like being lied to. It has never happened to me at Maccabi, but it has happened to me in my life. I do not like someone talking about you with bad intentions, and with hints. It hurts me. If you want to tell me I was wrong - say."

Which victory moved you the most at Maccabi?

"There are many. The victory over CSKA 76:93 in Moscow in January 2019, after 15 years that Maccabi did not win there.

The big win over Hapoel Jerusalem away 82:93, after the Corona, when we played really well.

And also the victory over Anadolu in March 75:77, before the Euroleague was stopped.

It was a last home game with only 5,000 fans because of the Corona, a big win because we got to the playoffs thanks to it. "

What do you dislike in Israel?

"Driving here drives me crazy."

Because you drive like crazy here?

"Suddenly. Because you drive slowly. I drive fast and careful."

Where do you want to go in life?

"Blessed be God," he says in Hebrew, and continues in English: "I do not know. Only God knows."

So where are you in three years?

"At Maccabi". 

shirz@israelhayom.co.il