The Three Musketeers: Papanikolaou, Sloukas and Mantzaris have unfinished business for Greece

NANJING (China) - Ten years have passed since Kostas Papanikolaou, Evangelos Mantzaris and Kostas Sloukas made their first world stage appearance and they continue to go from strength to strength with the Greek jersey on their backs.

Its's been a long, arduous and enjoyable career that the three players have experienced over the past decade, but playing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the second time in a row is a feat that few dare to achieve.

From the joy of winning the FIBA U18 European Championship and the FIBA U20 European Championship titles in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009, to finishing runners-up at the FIBA U19 World Championship 2009, Papanikolaou, Mantzaris and Sloukas were there together.

"I KNOW IT MIGHT SOUND CLICHE, BUT WE ARE LIKE A REAL FAMILY. I TRULY MEAN IT."- Kostas Papanikolaou

The trio are on another joint mission this summer, with Greece attempting to win their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup title in China. For all three, their pride of wearing the 'Hellas' uniform stood out more than anything else. 

As they all admit, it transformed their basketball careers.

"I was one of the lucky guys who had the chance to live great moments with the national team - especially with the youth," Papanikolaou said with a smile on his face. "I won a couple of medals, but the most important thing is that 10 years ago in New Zealand we finished second [after losing to the USA]. Hopefully this [year] will be a good anniversary for us to do something special 10 years later."

Some would say, the possibility of winning the top crown in China would be just that. 

The chemistry and lessons learnt from the junior ranks could very well be a factor in China, with every little advantage potentially decisive in the tough path to glory that awaits in the World Cup, especially the extremely competitive side of the bracket Greece find themselves in.

And the feeling of togetherness extends way beyond the Papanikolaou-Sloukas-Mantzaris trio.

"THE MOMENTS YOU SPEND PLAYING FOR YOUR NATIONAL TEAM WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR MEMORY BOOKS."- Kostas Sloukas

"I know it might sounds cliche, but we are like a real family. I truly mean it. Anyone can see our interaction on and off the court. Even without cameras on, we have fun together. And that helps us to bring the best of ourselves. I am lucky and am proud to be part of this group of players," Papanikolaou stressed.

The brotherhood and the family atmosphere that Greece basketball is known for is not a myth.  A memorable time for any up-and-coming player, it is also where these values are enshrined from an early age. 

Mantzaris recalls representing Greece at the youth level fondly

"I will never forget the first time I heard the national anthem wearing this jersey. And being through all the [national] youth teams helped me feel the honor and wait every time for the opportunity," said Mantzaris, who worked hard to earn a roster spot in China.

"Getting invited to the youth national teams is something that you never forget in your career because for many young players that is the first dream you can have. It's the first sign that you can go on and have expectations."

This sentiment is also echoed by Sloukas, the last of Greek basketball's version of The Three Musketeers.

Kostas Sloukas vs Klay Thompson at FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2009

"It was the first reward," he said. "It encouraged me to keep working hard. It encouraged me to one day be in the position of my childhood idols. No matter how far you can go as a professional player, the moments you spend playing for your national team will always have a special place in your memory books."

The previous generation of Greek basketball stars went all the way to the Final in the last FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in Asia in 2006, handing USA a memorable knock-out blow in the Semi-Finals, and this is now the window for Sloukas, Papanikolaou and Mantzaris to create memories of their own. 

"We are three guys here," Papanikolaou said, referencing the their times joint experience. "Hopefully god will help us and something good will happen this year."

The Greeks are in Group F of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 against Brazil, Montenegro and New Zealand in Nanjing. 

FIBA