Klatsis: "Katsh is the best coach to have worked outside the Euroleague" Israel today

One of the most powerful people in Panathinaikos and the one who pushed for the arrival of the Israeli coach: "Oded changed the psychology of the players" • And about the special connection between the two: "From the first time he came here, he tried to assimilate into Greek culture" • Special interview

• Katsch in Uka

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  EPA

Yorgos Claitsis is one of the most powerful people in Panathinaikos.

He is the manager of the club, trust in the relationship between the management and the team, is responsible for the academy for young talents and is also a member of the professional team.

But above all, the 44-year-old Greek is one of Oded Katash's best friends, dating back to his time in Pao in the 1999/00 season.

Since then the two have kept in close contact and made sure to meet occasionally.

Katsch even served as a godfather to one of his friend's daughters.

About two months ago, when the team was looking for a coach, Claitsis was the one who pushed for the bringing of the Israeli.

For the first time since the move, he speaks to the Israeli media and tells about the reasons that led Katsch to the prestigious position.

Love at first sight

"From the moment we played together we became very good friends," he says of the special connection between Katsch and Greece. He tasted Greek food, drank Greek coffee, and in general, tried everything Greek. "

How do you explain the love of Pau fans for Katash?

He only played one year for them.

"Pao fans love people who are connected to the team's important moments and remind them of them. Katsch won the Euroleague in 2000, and this is a moment that is an important part of the club's history. There is mutual respect between them, lasting from that period."

How much influence did your membership have on his choice of coach?

"Thanks to our acquaintance, I was able to assure the club members that Oded's personality and character suited us."

What are the professional criteria that made you decide that he is the right man for the job?

"Criteria in basketball are something subjective. I think we got the best coach who worked outside the Euroleague."

What change did he bring to the group?

"He changed the psychology of some of the players and also the way we play on defense. You can also see that he introduced mobility to the team on offense."

Should Oded continue to coach the team next season as well?

"Yes, that's the intention of both sides."

Since the Obradovich era there has not been a coach who has worked for a long time at Pao.

Can Katsh get into such shoes?

"It's too early to tell. We have expectations and the coach also has his own expectations. In the end, we are all measured in results."

Katsch has built the young and new Israeli team, and we have many people who think he should lead it to the European Championships.

What is the chance that a solution will be found between the Euroleague and FIBA ​​schedules and he will continue to work in parallel in Israel as well?

"All the people who are in basketball and love basketball want a solution to be found between the Euroleague and Fiba, one that is acceptable to both sides.

I am, of course, among them. "

How far would Katsh have come as a player had it not been for the serious injury that ended his career early?

"He was a player with great potential, with a unique way of playing. No one knows where he would have gone if not for this injury."