Giorgos Dedas also thinks the Eurocup draw is difficult, while attempting an initial analysis of the PAOK opponents he also realizes that there are many obstacles for the team to overcome in order to make the next round.

 

 “We knew in advance that the draw would be difficult, based on the teams and their dynamics. I think that we have one of the lowest budgets in the competition and we definitely have the lowest one in the group. Budgets are of importance, but they are not the ones to play basketball. We know that and we also know the difficulties we have to face, we certainly have to fight for any chance. No one can be sure of qualifying before the games are played”, Giorgos Dedas said at first and then spoke about each individual opponent…

 

 “Lokomotiv Kuban is a very strong team, I think it’s one of the three best Eurocup teams, according to its roster, but also all the details entailing the trip there and all. I have learned a lot about the Turkish team, Karsiyaka, from by brother (i.e. Stefanos Dedas is an assistant coach with Gaziantep). They play very up tempo when at home, while Ventspils is probably the team I know the least about, but I think they are going to be playing fast paced basketball, especially at home games. This is something very indicative of the Latvian teams. About Zielona Gora, things are simpler. They are a team of high standards, they played Euroleague last season, this season they played the qualifying round and they gave Unics a very hard time, so it’s a team of high class and quality”.   

 

Giorgos Dedas also talked about the benefits PAOK can derive from the competition, stressing that: “I think it’s a group of a very high level and we definitely have to prepare ourselves for high level games. We and our fans will have the chance to watch teams with a different basketball mentality and watch very good basketball. We on our part know that Eurocup is something different, it’s a very tough competition and following this initial assessment, we are definitely going to have a more accurate view after the scouting is completed”.