Theodoros Papalukas Basketball player Date of Birth: 08.05.1977 Country: Greece

1. Theodoros Papaloukas: The Greek Guard Leading CSKA to Victory
2. A Long-Awaited Victory
3. Belief in Success
4. Moments of Triumph
5. Overcoming Any Opponent
6. The Winning Difference

Theodoros Papaloukas: The Greek Guard Leading CSKA to Victory

In the past Sunday, Moscow's CSKA achieved a truly great victory by winning the most prestigious tournament in European club basketball - the ULEB Euroleague. According to experts, the main contribution to this success was made by the Greek guard of the army team, Theodoros Papaloukas. He was recognized as the Most Valuable Player of the Prague "Final Four" by the Euroleague Directorate. "Novye Izvestia" managed to ask a few questions to the CSKA leader immediately after the team's return to Moscow.

A Long-Awaited Victory

-Theodoros, congratulations on your long-awaited victory in the Euroleague! What does the new champion feel?
-You know, it's really difficult to describe my feelings unequivocally. We have been working towards this success for so long, striving for this peak, and now we have finally conquered it, but I feel a sense of emptiness in my soul. Maybe it's because everything was given to the game, all the emotions stayed on the court.

Belief in Success

-A year ago, CSKA fought for victory in the Euroleague at home in Moscow and suffered a devastating defeat, failing to reach the final. Many wrote off the army team - it was obvious that the team needed restructuring. Honestly, did you believe that you could win the long-awaited trophy in the following season?
-Of course, because it's sports, and anything is possible in sports. Sometimes you play for a wonderful club that is the strongest in Europe, and everyone expects your team to win, but it doesn't. And the next year, everyone thinks that your club has weakened, that it's impossible to win with such a lineup. But those who are no longer believed in, play smart and become Euroleague champions. Can you guess which team I'm talking about?

Moments of Triumph

-What was the most difficult, critical moment of the "Final Four" for you, when the fate of the trophy was decided?
-Oh, there were many such moments, it's hard for me to highlight just one. But our team was extremely focused and mentally resilient. That's why we won.

Overcoming Any Opponent

-Your coach Ettore Messina has never lost to Maccabi in his career. If instead of the Israelis, you had faced Spanish Tau in the final match, would it have been harder to win the championship title?
-Who knows. I can say one thing - if you want to win the Euroleague, you must be able to defeat any opponent, any European powerhouse. Barcelona and Maccabi stood in our way - we removed them. If it had been Tau, we would have tried to do the same.

The Winning Difference

-What, in your opinion, does the current CSKA team have that the previous ones lacked?
-The main difference is that this team won. You Russians are strange people... you always compare something to something else... Why analyze, dig into the past, look for negative moments where there are none? Enjoy life today. And don't think that this is the last time, believe in a beautiful future. This CSKA, I assure you, will go far.