For the first time in 16 years, the Greek national basketball team has advanced to the semifinals of the European Championship - the "Hellenic" defeated Lithuania (87:76) two nights ago in Riga, and will play Turkey for a place in the final (Friday, 18 p.m.).
It was exactly 16 years ago that Greece last won a medal, when they came third in Poland. And their last gold medal was exactly 20 years ago, when they defeated Germany (78:62) in the “Belgrade Arena” and reached the title for the second time, after winning in 1987 with the legendary Nikos Galis ascended the throne for the first time.
- We were excellent on both sides of the floor, we played with great heart in front of thousands of Lithuanian fans. I am proud and all the credit goes to the players - said the Greek coach after the triumph over Lithuania Vasilis Spanulis.
By reaching the semi-finals of this year's championship, Greece is just two wins away from repeating the success of the 1987 and 2005 generations.
- I'm not dreaming. I know what the players can do and I know how hard they work from day one. This is reality, we have a great team - said Spanoulis.
There are certain connections between this and the generation that won the last European gold for Greece, in 2005 in Belgrade. The coach is Vasilis Spanulis, helps him Nikos Zizis, and the general manager is Dimos Dikudis - they were all on the team 20 years ago in Belgrade.
- That European Championship seems so far away now. It was an incredible success for us. Nobody expected us to go to Belgrade and win gold. But we had a lot of confidence - it was the golden generation of Greek basketball players - Zizis explained.
Spanoulis had an interesting presentation during this championship when reporters asked him what he first remembered from that championship.
"The first thing I remember is having hair," Spanulis joked, then added:
- We brought a lot of Greeks out into the streets after winning the final. It was an incredible moment.
Now Spanulis is in a new role, and on the field are players like Kostas Slukas i Kostas Papanikolaou who grew up admiring the champion generation.
- I remember walking through the streets, screaming and rejoicing with other people. It's something special, of course we all remember that success - explained Slukas.
The most excitement was in the semi-finals in 2005 when Greece won with a three-goal margin. Dimitris Diamantidis, three seconds before the end, defeated France (67:66).
- What I remember best from that championship was the match against the French - the turnaround and Diamantidis' three-pointer - said Slukas.
Papanikolaou was at a family gathering in a church that evening, when the match against France was taking place. He was unable to watch the match from the beginning.
- I entered the house and turned on the TV at the moment when Greece had its last attack. Zizis assisted Diamantidis for the win. That is the only memory from that game, the best possible. I remember being delighted. It is a special moment for me. I keep that victory in my heart - said Papanikolaou.
Slukas and Papanikolaou believe that it is a great thing to have players from the championship generation with them.
- It's important that they're here, because they're trying to convey their mentality to us. They have a lot of experience and I respect them - said Slukas.
Greece plays Turkey in the semi-finals. Players and fans alike are yearning for the podium. All generations dream of the title.
And whether the dream will come true will be known soon.
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