Mantzaris returns to national team, Mitoglou leaves

Following the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Giannis Athinaiou, Vangelis Mantzaris has returned to the national team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, while Konstantinos Mitoglou leaves.

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On Monday, the Hellenic Basketball Federation released this following statement:

“Thanasis Skourtopoulos has chosen Vangelis Mantzaris to replace Giannis Athinaiou in the 12-man squad which will travel to China. After three days away, Mantzaris expressed his desire to return to the team when speaking to the coaches via a telephone call.

The relevant procedures have started in order for Mantzaris to begin training with the team again on Wednesday (21/8).

The last player to leave the team is Dinos Mitoglou after the Acropolis Eurobank Tournament.

Kostas Sloukas will remain in Athens to continue his daily recovery program, with a new assessment scheduled for tomorrow. A decision concerning his participation at the World Cup will then be taken.”

Yesterday, Athinaiou fell to the floor clutching his left knee in a friendly match against Serbia, and it was later confirmed that the 31-year-old suffered the anterior cruciate ligament injury. Sloukas is nursing a calf strain after playing in a game against the Italians on Friday.

The 2019 FIBA World Cup will take place between August 31 and September 15. Greece have been placed in Group F alongside Brazil, Montenegro and New Zealand.

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: gazzetta.gr

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