Manos Papadopoulos: "European basketball needs Russian teams"

The Sports Director of Zenit BC Manos Papadopoulos shared his experience working in St. Petersburg in an interview with the Backdoor Podcast. He spoke about his collaboration with Xavi Pascual and Zeljko Obradovic, discussed the future of Russian clubs in the EuroLeague and much more.

Inspiration to get closer to basketball

— I have been involved in basketball since I was very young. I was born next to the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium (Panathinaikos football stadium) in Athens. I used to watch football, basketball and volleyball training every day. I never missed a session, especially basketball. In the last 35 years, up to now, I think I have missed a total of about ten training sessions between Panathinaikos and Zenit! I would only miss a training session for special occasions, like a EuroLeague meeting. As a child, I remember saying hello Apostle Kontos (former Panathinaikos BC player) after every practice saying "Hello giant", and he would reply "Hello little guy". Basketball was, and remains, my obsession.

— 5 years at Zenit BC. How do you evaluate the team's progress since you arrived?

— The path of the last years has had some difficulties, especially because of the war, which has had a great influence. I am sure that if there had not been that conflict, Zenit would have reached a Final Four and maybe even won the EuroLeague. The will of the people inside the team was – and is – incredibly strong. The goal was to make the team one of the best in Europe. The first year we reached the EuroLeague playoffs and were eliminated by Barcelona in the fifth game, despite playing without two key starters, Ponitka and Gudaitis. The following year, interrupted by the war, we were consistently in the top four in the regular season. It was the time when he was about to make his debut Napier, a player we brought to Europe for the first time. An athlete who then played in Milan, Red Star and now at Bayern earning significant figures. Overall, the team's progress has been positive.

Russian basketball in terms of organization and competitiveness

— VTB League it is quite competitive. Of course, some teams stand out (Zenit, UNICS, CSKA, and Lokomotiv). Russian teams have had to pay double to sign foreign players in recent years because of the war. I can tell you that VTB has a lot of talent. I give a lot of credit to the league management for keeping it strong.

Your collaboration with Xavi Pascual

— We have been working together for many years. 5 years at Zenit and 2 and a half years at Panathinaikos. He is an extraordinary person and an exceptional coach. As a coach he is of the highest level, among the best in Europe, and he could easily coach any team. The difference with Xavi is that he is both an exceptional person and an extraordinary coach. Often you find professionals who are only one of the two. He is both.

— You have shared many moments with Zeljko Obradovic. What do you appreciate most about your collaboration, on a human and professional level?

— Zeljko is off the scale. He is a natural talent, a gifted person, and his trophies speak for themselves. But what makes him even greater is his humility. He has never felt superior to others and has always respected everyone, from the club president to the person who cleans the pitch. And I assure you, it is still like that. This is his real difference. A quality that I also found in Xavi Pascual.

— What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Pavlos Giannakopoulos?

— For me, Mr. Pavlos was something special. He was not just my employer. I felt like a family member. The same goes for Mr. Thanasis (Pavlos' brother). He was a simple man, he spent a lot for Panathinaikos, and his simplicity and passion led to the results achieved. I'll give you an example: he was the type of person who would go and get a souvlaki (Greek street food), and then give a match ticket to the seller. A unique phenomenon. You don't find people at his level who behave like that. The whole family was like that, and the results came also because of that.

The Evolution of the EuroLeague

— Many things are being said. A great effort is being made for the EuroLeague. It is positive that guarantees are being put in place, so that a team is not just a flash in the pan and then disappears. But we also have to consider the sporting aspect. It is not right for a team to win the national championship and then be told that it is not good enough. We need to find a balance between sporting results and commercial aspect. The EuroLeague is the best league in Europe and can become even stronger.

— Do you think Russian teams will return to the EuroLeague?

— Of course, because European basketball needs Russian teams. Not only EuroLeague, but also EuroCup and Champions League. When they were excluded, Zenit was third, CSKA fifth and UNICS seventh. It was very likely that all three would be in the playoffs. Many players who are now in Europe, used to play in Russia. Take UNICS: Hezonja, brothers Brown (Lorenzo and John). Players who are worth at least a million euros. Russian teams will come back stronger and will make the EuroLeague even more competitive.

— What about NBA Europe?

— Nobody knows exactly what will happen now. The goal must be to have only one league in Europe. We must not split teams again for economic reasons. If we do that, we will destroy basketball again, and it will take years to get back to where we are today. This has happened before. If the NBA and FIBA can create a league with sporting and economic benefits, they must do so in agreement with the EuroLeague. We cannot destroy European basketball any longer. Cooperation is possible. Today, the EuroLeague has as its president the most important figure in European basketball, Dejan Bodiroga, who knows the situation well. Whatever happens, it must be for the good of the sport.

— If you could go back in time, what would you change?

— Just one thing: that Spanoulis had never left Panathinaikos. That's the first thing that comes to mind.

— The most difficult decision of your career?

— Going to Zenit. I left a place like Panathinaikos, which was my whole life. But I am happy, because I do what I really love. Not everyone can work doing what they love. This makes me happy. I am lucky.

— Would you return to Panathinaikos?

— Difficult question. Panathinaikos is doing very well and has good people in the management and around the team. Everyone wants to be part of the club. But I think I belong to another chapter of Panathinaikos, another volume — very important. My cycle has ended, and it was right. A new cycle had to begin, with difficulties as always, but now it's okay. That's life. Now it's the turn of the younger ones. Some friends ask me if I regret having left Panathinaikos, and I answer that we won 50 titles. Who would have thought that Ferguson would leave Manchester United? In life, everything has a beginning and an end. It was right that way.

— Is it true that you tried to bring Jasikevicius as coach to Panathinaikos?

— Yes, that's true. The first time, however, he wanted to continue playing. Sarunas was and always will be special to me.

— What advice would you give to the new generation that wants to work in basketball management?

— Luck also plays a role, but I would say to the new generation: never miss an opportunity and have the courage to decide. If something happens to you and you really want it, you have to take it. You have to dive for the ball, not wait for it to come to you. Times are different, and on the one hand it is easier for those who were athletes to become managers, but if you look closely, many former athletes who embark on a basketball career abandon it because they can't handle it. It takes a lot of work and a sharp mind.