The Pope in the Gazzetta: Sports fans love me because I am myself

George Pappas talks to Gazzetta about his connection to the blue jersey and justifies the excitement of Olympiacos fans every time he steps onto the field.

the National team completes its obligations in “Windows” v Serbia (24/2) and Latvia (2/27), having already secured its presence in World Cup 2023 And George Pope He was in the default selection of the Greek team.

Incoming guard olympicowho is one of the “Red and White” platform’s favorite kids was included in the initial selections for Sotiris Manolopoulos and talked to magazine On the fact that he was wearing the national crest shirt, temporarily leaving aside the Piraeus crest: “Actually, I’m used to playing in blue. I’ve played in blue all my life. I wore it in high school, university and now Greece national team. So when my friends saw the photos from the national team training, they immediately texted me: “George, you’re finally back in the blueIt was fun. It’s definitely a nice change but at the same time, I love its red color olympico».

Regarding his presence in the national team and being called up for the first selection, he said: “I see her day after day. Don’t worry about anything but what’s in front of me. Now I have her training and the match in front of me. National. I only care about what I can control. And all I can control is in the present. Every day I want to become a better and better player. At the end of the day we talk about basketball. For something I’ve been doing my whole life. I think I’m a good player. In any case, I have to show at every opportunity that I am a good player.

“They love me and I love them”

we asked George Pope To comment on the enthusiasm of his friends olympico Every time he gets on the field: “I’m enjoying it! The fans love me but I also love them. I think it’s about being myself. Even when I’m playing, I act on the field like George PopeI’m not trying to pretend I’m someone I’m not. I think that’s exactly what the fans appreciate. I think they lack true and real attitude. They love me and I love them!”

Really, did he ever think he’d get to the point of playing in Greece national team; “My whole family is Greek, I am 100% Greek, my father was born here and I had the opportunity to get citizenship. It is a dream to play for the national team! I grew up watching Olympic Games And World CupsI saw EuroBasket… It was a target for me to try and play at National. You have given me this opportunity and I hope to have many more in the future.”

On the same day that Hellas He will play with her Serbia in Anu Liuziathe Olympic It is being tested in Spain against Valenciaclaiming a win that would keep him in first place in the standings euroleague: “I definitely miss them… I’m a little sad that I won’t be with the kids, that I won’t have the chance to watch the game in Spain, that they won’t have the chance to see me play for the national team. That’s nothing else. And they’ll take care of working in Valencia while I’m here in Athens” .

“I have bigger goals”

the George Pope He is living the best possible life this year. He is a member of olympico Race leads to euroleagueHe takes advantage of every opportunity given to him George Bartzokascelebrated the Greek Cup as a member of the “red and white” and was called up to the national team for the “windows”: “It’s great what I’m going through this year. It’s a blessing to live these situations, to enjoy these experiences in my first year as a professional. At the same time, I try to learn From these situations I have bigger goals, I want to do many things to improve and help him Olympic And National team. It is important that I represent both teams and that we celebrate the cup. I think we can do even bigger things in the future.”