Pini Gershon: Papazov will do the best for the national team

Pini Gershon

27-03-2008 23:08

The men’s national basketball team head coach, Pini Gershon, gave a special press-conference before the final of the Bulgarian Cup in Samokov between Lukoil Academic and Cherno More Eurohold.

“Valentin Zlatev didn’t put pressure on me at the HDI All star Game. Papazov has coached Lukoil Academic and the national team, so I think he has proven himself as a specialist and he has shown his devotion to the game. I know him well and I’m certain that he is a very good person. He hasn’t committed any crime, so there isn’t a problem. I will help him and he will help me. It isn’t a question of personal attitude. The national team isn’t mine, it is rather yours and my decision for the assistant coaches isn’t an attempt to demonstrate something. I believe that all the players I’m going to call will show up for the national team” – said Gershon regarding Valentin Zlatev’s statement after Lukoil’s game with Dynamo in Moscow.

“Papazov will do what’s best for the national team. We started our conversations yesterday and our first task is to find a sponsor. He is going to be busy with that until 20th September and so, unlike me, it will be probably very difficult for him to find a new team to coach. Anyway he puts the interests of the national team above his own goals. I am here to help and do the best for the Bulgarian basketball and I know that everyone wishes the same. When I had to decide about the assistants I thought only about basketball and didn’t involve any politics. That’s why I made my decision so quickly, because I believe that Papazaov and Minchev are the best. There aren’t many coaches who are going to agree to be assistants after they have coached the national team. If Papazov can do that, his priority is the game of basketball. I believe that no one wants to harm the team but on the contrary – everyone is willing to give all they can” – added the Israelian.

He also said he hasn’t spoken to Valentin Zlatev yet, but there wasn’t a problem for that to happen. “We were friends and I think we still are. He helps the strongest Bulgarian team and if there are more people like him, your country will soon have a team in the Euroleague”.

After he watched the semi-finals for the Bulgarian Cup at “Arena Samokov”, Gershon promised that he is going to be here again for the playoffs of the Championship.

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