Adam Panagiotopoulos: Working to make Zenit one of the biggest clubs

Can you tell the story of you and basketball? How did you become interested in it and become a coach? Did you play in your childhood?

The story of basketball and me , started many years ago. I start playing in a team at the age of 11, more or less after the EUROBASKET 1987 where Greece won the gold medal . I played until the age of 24 in a good level. At the age of 18 , I start studying at the University of Physical Education & Sports Science of Athens, where I took the diploma with specialisation at Basketball. From the age of 20 I was coaching in juniors teams and after some years I become assistant coach at 2nd Division for 5 years more or less. Then I went to 1st Division with Coach Pedoulakis, who became coach of Panathinaikos and I was at the staff. I stayed at Panathinaikos for 1 1/2 years , where the team won 1 championship and 2 cups. After I went to Unics for 6 months, and at January of 2015 I worked for Hellenic Federation as coach at U-16 and U-18 National Teams of Greece. At March of 2016 went back to Panathinaikos until the summer of 2019 where the team won 3 championships and 2 Greek cups. From February I m in Saint Petersburg with Zenit. I am fortuned that I do what I love most, being in the court of basketball.

2. In Greece, it’s either Oly or Pao. Did you support Pao since the very beginning?

Games between Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos is the biggest in all Europe and one of the main derbies around the world. These are the biggest teams in Greece, but in basketball we have also AEK , ARIS , PAOK and other clubs with history. Panathinaikos is one of the biggest basketball clubs, but the main characteristic is that works like big family. When you participate in a team that is like that, team becomes your family. The same thing will happen in Zenit, team will be our family.

3. The team has a very expressive owner in Mr. Giannakopolous. Can you describe him? Is it just his image what we see in the news or it’s himself?

I don’t know what image you have for mr.Giannakopoulos, but I can tell you, that as an owner he never interfere in our work, he was supportive and close to us and the team. He is a very smart man , where he knows well how to run a team.

4. Oly fans forgot about Vassilis Spanoulis’ past with Pao and welcomed him with no problem? How’s it possible?

Or there were problems?

Spanoulis is one of the biggest players who played in Europe. He won many titles with Panathinaikos and then he went to Olympiacos where he won also 2 Euroleagues and 2 championships. Fans of Panathinaikos loved him and as you understand was very difficult to accept that he left the team for Oly. At the first games the atmosphere was very difficult but the biggest part of Pana fans respect him.

5.  Do you remember the hottest derby? How was it?

I played around 35 times more or less this derby. Every game is a different story . But I will never forget 2 games . First chronologically is the Greek Cup Final at 2013, when we won in a neutral court, only with 600 fans each team. It was the first title with team and I something that always will be remembered from me. The second game was the 5th game (best of 5 play off series) of the Greek Final Championship, the score was 2-2 as you understand , and we were playing at Olympiacos court. Coach of Panathinaikos was Xavi Pascual and made a break win that give us the title. After the game 20.000 people were waiting for us at out court. Was something I can’t forget.

6. You know Greek Freak in person? What can you tell about him as a person?

At summer of 2017 I was member of National Team of Greece. I was assistant coach and we had in our team Giannis. We made preseason and friendly games, but due to an injury he didn’t play at Eurobasket. Giannis is an amazing athlete and person. Humble , with great work ethic, wants to develop every day his game. Every day, 45 minutes before practice he was coming to the court and we were working together , cause he wanted to be better. Top is no the limit, always we have to improve ,and Giannis acts like that 1000%.

7. How did you meet coach Pascual?

At October of 2016 coach Pascual came to Panathinaikos, where I was as an assistant coach. We had played many times before as opponents , but it was then when I met him in person.

8. What was the first thought of him? Is it changed now?

My first thought was that he is very intelligent ,with big knowledge of the sport but also with

great vision /philosophy of life .

I think all the people change through time. Especially when someone is very intelligent ,is

certain that he will change,(not much, but it will be a change), cause life and experiences makes him see things differently. So I think coach Pascual changed, not much as I said, but sure he sees some things differently now.

9. Was it a hard decision to move to Russia?

Coach Pascual made the honor to propose me to come with him and coach Zorzano in Zenit. We have great relationship (personally /proffesionaly) and when he made me the proposal was nothing to think about. I want to work/be with people that I care and communicate. So the decision was easy for me due to coach , but also to the club cause Zenit is a club that has things that makes you want to be there.

10. You’ve already worked in Kazan before. Is it good memories?

I have good memories from Kazan. City is good and we managed to qualify to Euroleague .General I have good memories from people and the team there.

.To represent your country is great honour. I feel very proud of my presence there. But when someone things that he reached his top , the only way is down. I think differently. My top is hasn’t come yet. I have many things to do more.

11. After Kazan you went to work for the Greek NT. Can you tell it’s the top of your career or top is yet to come?

To represent your country is great honour. I feel very proud of my presence there. But when someone things that he reached his top , the only way is down. I think differently. My top is hasn’t come yet. I have many things to do more.

12. Coach Pascual said to the podcast Crossover that he gives a lot of opportunities to his assistants. Do you have any plans to become a head coach some day?

Coach Pascual is a very intelligent man as I said. The way that he ‘runs’ the team is something unique, that s why he is so successful. He gives space to everyone to develop their skills for the benefit of the team. That way makes you want to work with him, and give all you got ,so to improve your self and help the team to achieve the goals that has set. Right now I am assistant coach at Zenit S.P. and I am very happy for it. We have goals for the club that I want to achieve. This is the only think I have in my mind, how we can make Zenit to become one of the biggest clubs.