Lietkabelis Panevezys has enjoyed a strong start to the 2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup and comes off one of its biggest wins in European competitions, 87-77 over Joventut Badalona at Cido Arena. Forward Panagiotis Kalaitzakis has been at the heart of Lietkabelis's recent success. The 22-year-old first came to Lithuania three years ago with his twin brother Georgios looking for an opportunity to get playing time.
Panagiotis Kalaitzakis: 'We are going to keep proving people wrong'
Interviews
7 Mins read
The move worked for both Kalaitzakis brothers; Georgios returned home to Greece last season to play for Panathinaikos OPAP Athens and began this season with Milwaukee in the NBA. Panagiotis is one of the best newcomers in the EuroCup this season. Kalaitzakis is averaging 14.8 points on 68.2% two-point shooting, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists and ranks 22nd overall in PIR (16.0). According to Kalaitzakis, the best is yet to come, as he said in this interview. "I already learned a lot from these six games in the EuroCup. It is a tough league, a tough competition, and I love it," Kalaitzakis told EuroCupBasketball.com. "To be honest with you, I love to play a game against these teams every week, against these experienced players, and keep getting better."
Hello, Panagiotis. Congratulations on the win against Joventut. Tell us about what it took to beat such an experienced team the way you did, leading almost all the way?
"We played against a big team which was, I think, second in our group, so we didn't have any problems or any doubts in our minds. We knew what we had to do and if we followed our plan, we knew we could win, and that was it. We followed our plan from the first minute until the end, stayed together and won the game."
Lietkabelis is 3-3 now, with road wins in Trento and Wroclaw. You also competed really well against Partizan and Lokomotiv. Do you feel like you are beating the expectations?
"Yes, for sure, we proved a lot of people wrong, and we are going to keep doing that because I think we play together as a team. Every game, we show up, play together as a team, we support each other on and off the court. So yes, I'm pretty sure that a lot of people didn't expect us to be in the position that we are right now and compete against those teams, but like I said, we are working hard. We stand together and are going to keep proving people wrong."
"I'm pretty sure that a lot of people didn't expect us to be in the position that we are right now... We stand together and are going to keep proving people wrong."
This is your first EuroCup season but you are not playing as a rookie, averaging 14.8 points. How did you adjust so well to the competition?
"Well, to be honest with you, I've been watching these competitions, EuroLeague, EuroCup and all European competitions since I was a little kid, so I pretty much knew what to expect. And I don't want to talk about myself, but I worked hard this summer to prepare myself for this EuroCup season. So far, so good!"
You came to Lithuania three years ago to join Nevezis together with your twin brother Georgios. It was not a usual decision. Where did it come from?
"It was my agent. My agent said we could play in Lithuania, that there was this team, Nevezis, which has a lot of young talents every year. So we were 19-20 back then and took this decision because in Greece things are pretty different. You know, they don't use young guys as much as they do here in Lithuania. So we took this decision. We didn't know what to expect, but if I had to choose again, I would make the same decision."
You and your brother played together one season and parted ways. Are you in touch with him on regular basis?
"Yes, for sure. He's watching every game of mine. I try to watch every game when he's playing. Last year, when he was in Europe, it was much easier for me to watch all his games. So yes, we talk every day about basketball things and discuss everything."
The most famous twin brothers in European basketball, Ksistof and Darius Lavrinovic, also played for Lietkabelis. Have you crossed paths at some point? Do you plan to beat their achievements?
"Yes, I knew these guys before I even came here. But yes, last year they were playing in the second division team and we played against them. I mean, I played against them with Nevezis, and we talked a little bit about that. Not so much, but I know them. As for beating their achievements, they did really well, but why not? Year by year, we set new goals. Me and my brother, our goal is to keep getting better each and every day."
How has playing in the EuroCup helped you become a better player… And how can it help you going forward?
"Definitely, 100 %, 100%. I already learned a lot from these six games in the EuroCup. It is a tough league, a tough competition, and I love it. To be honest with you, I love to play a game against these teams every week, against these experienced players, and keep getting better. I love to compete against these teams and against these players. So for sure, at the end of the year, I think I will be a much better player."
Your next game is against MoraBanc Andorra, a physical team that is undefeated at home. What do you need to do to surprise them?
"I think the most important thing is to show up with energy and good effort. It is basketball, you know? it's five against five, so why not be the first team that is going to beat them there? We have to be as focused as we were against Joventut, from the first minute, and anything can happen. Like I said, it's basketball."
"Lithuania is a basketball country, it is their favorite sport and they follow it. So everywhere you go, pretty much, they know you."
How does it feel to play in a basketball country like Lithuania for three years and counting? How has the experience been until now?
"It was hard in the beginning, to be honest, even though I was with my brother, it was hard to adapt to a new life. As far as basketball, we knew what to expect. We knew it would be hard at the beginning, but if you believe in yourself and work hard, you will make it. Life was a little bit different in the beginning, but now, this is my third year here and I really adapted to it. Lithuania is a basketball country, it is their favorite sport and they follow it. So everywhere you go, pretty much, they know you, especially if you play in European competitions like Lietkabelis, Rytas and Zalgiris. Everywhere you go, they know you and they support you."
What would make it a good season for you, personally, and for Lietkabelis?
"Like I said, I don't want to talk about myself, but if the team achieves its goal, going to the next round in the EuroCup, then everybody will be happy, including myself. And for sure, I will do my best to reach it. My goal is to show up to every game and play as hard as I can to help my team win, and this is what I'm going to do. But right now, our goal is to look at every game, show up with energy, play together and then we will see what happens. Enjoy the game, enjoy every minute of the game and see what happens."