By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
With the end of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Ilias Zouros and the Georgian national team officially crossed different ways, as the Greek head coach left the red-and-white side after seven years in charge, having taken the job in 2016.
The 57-year-old head coach shared an emotional farewell to Georgia on his personal Facebook profile. “The last 8 years have been a fantastic journey for me with the Georgian National team! I want to thank everybody for the amazing memories and the Georgian Basketball Federation for their trust and support! Working and developing with all these talented players during these years was a privilege and I feel honored to have represented such a wonderful and beautiful country!”, he said.
“All the hard work and sacrifices paid off, and reaching the Top 16 countries in the world shows that discipline and focus are everything! I wish everybody all the best in the future and I look forward to living new challenges and creating more success stories”, Ilias Zouros’ statement continued as he said goodbye to Georgia after coaching two EuroBasket (2017, 2022) and one FIBA World Cup, where the national team classified as 16th by reaching the second round.
Prior to sitting on the Georgian bench in 2016, Ilias Zouros also coached the Greek national team in the 2011-12 season while leading other European powerhouses like Olympiacos, Zalgiris Kaunas, Anadolu Efes, and more. His last coaching experience with a club came in Promitheas during the 2021-22 season.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup