By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Final Four of the 2013-14 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in Milan remains among the most improbable underdog runs in history. At the center of Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv’s triumph was Sofoklis Schortsanitis, also known as Big Sofo.
Talking with Eurohoops, the 40-year-old former player revealed in the third installment of Final Four Stories by Stoiximan that his championship journey almost faltered before he even stepped onto the Mediolanum Forum court. Not because of an injury, but because of his gear.
“We had a problem with my shoes,” Schortsanitis recalled, reflecting on the logistical nightmare of finding footwear for his massive frame. “They had broken, and I had to find a new pair to play. And we were searching, we were asking. I called them and said, ‘Guys, I need shoes.’ Luckily, Nike sent me a pair just before the game.”
The Yellows had pulled off a stunning comeback against CSKA in the Semifinals before facing a juggernaut Real Madrid side in the championship game. Despite suiting up for the clear underdogs, the Greek legend leaned into a classic basketball superstition to keep his confidence high.
“They used to say then, and I believe they still say it, that if you lose two games against the same team, home and away, you don’t lose a third time. I said OK, we lost twice to Real, and I thought we won’t lose this one,” he mentioned. His intuition proved correct as Maccabi secured the title in an overtime thriller.
Reflecting on the mental fortitude required for such high-stakes moments, Schortsanitis offered a grounded piece of advice for the stars of today. “The important thing is to keep your mind calm and not to have too many expectations,” he said.