Xinhua News Agency, Athens, August 1 (Reporter Li Xiaopeng Yu Shuai) Greek national men's basketball team forward Giannis Antetokounmpo said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters on the 1st that he likes Chinese culture and food, thanks Chinese fans for their support to him and his family, and hopes that everyone will pay more attention to the performance of the Greek national team in the 2019 Men's Basketball World Cup.
On August 1, NBA Bucks player and 2019 NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo attended the press conference. On the same day, the Greek national men's basketball team held a press conference in Athens, and the coaches and 18 players participating in the 2019 Men's Basketball World Cup officially appeared. The 2019 Men's Basketball World Cup will be held in eight cities in China from August 31 to September 15, and for the first time, 32 teams will be brought together, with Greece in The same Group F as New Zealand, Brazil and Montenegro. Photo by Leftris Pacharis, Xinhua News Agency
Antetokounmpo won his first MLB regular season Most Valuable Player trophy for the Bucks this year, and he will represent Greece with his two brothers, Sanasis and Costas, in the Men's Basketball World Cup. Previously, Antetokounmpo and Sanassis had played side by side during the men's basketball team defeat at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"I'm thrilled to be playing with my brothers." Antetokounmpo said, "I've always been happy when I train because I can be with my brother and brother. Joining the Greek national team has always been our dream, and we have put in a lot of hard work to finally make this dream come true. ”
Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo (front row right) and his brother Sanassis Antetokounmpo (center) and younger brother Kostas Antetokounmpo (front row left) at the Athens conference of the Greek national men's basketball team on Aug. 1. Photo by Leftris Pacharis, Xinhua News Agency
Antetokounmpo also said that he hopes to use the experience of this competition to make himself a better player, and the team as a whole, the players will also go all out and pay 100% effort.
Antetokounmpo said he has been to China many times before, loves Chinese culture and food, and is looking forward to visiting China again.
"I really like The Chinese culture and food, especially the food, some of which have similarities with African food. I like to eat dumplings, I ate a lot when I went last time, and I also ate a lot of chicken claws, which was very good. ”
On the same day, in Athens, the capital of Greece, the Greek Basketball Association announced the 18-member training list of the national team that will go to China to participate in the Men's Basketball World Cup.
Head coach Xanasis Sklertopoulos said at the press conference that the Greek team will face great challenges in this World Cup, but the players have proven themselves to belong to this level for a long time and hope that the team can achieve the best results.
On August 1, the Greek national men's basketball team held a press conference in Athens, at which NBA Bucks player and 2019 NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo (front row left) was at the press conference. Photo by Leftris Pacharis, Xinhua News Agency
Giannis Bolosis, the captain of the Greek team, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that he is very much looking forward to returning to China on behalf of his country to participate in the Men's Basketball World Cup.
"I had two wonderful years in China. Playing in China is very hard, but the team and teammates have given me a lot of help, I had a good time, this time as a member of the Greek national team, to play in China, I am also very excited. "Bolosis played for Zhejiang Guangsha in the CBA.
Zhejiang Guangsha Lions player Giannis Bolosis (right) shoots a shot during the game on Sept. 20. On the same day, the extraordinary 12 basketball game at the Melco Film Festival Arena in Macau entered its third day, and the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions lost to the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins 71-79. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Jinjia
Text Editor: Ji Ye
New Media Editor: Intern Sariah Liu
Issued: Liang Jinxiong
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