Glyniadakis clinches place in Greek squad

ATHENS (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Andreas Glyniadakis went into this summer on the outside of Greece's national team looking in.

A 2.15m center who turns 33 on Tuesday, Glyniadakis last played for his country at EuroBasket 2009 in Poland.

With the FIBA Basketball World Cup tipping off in a week's time, the veteran center now knows he'll be in Sevilla after making the final 12-man squad.

National team coach Fotis Katsikaris, with Kostas Koufos having had a change of heart and deciding not to represent the country in Spain, brought Glyniadakis into the group of players and he impressed enough to gain a spot on the roster.

He will now be available to help the Greeks when they take on Argentina, Croatia, Senegal, the Philippines and Puerto Rico in Group B.

The national side also has two other centers in Giannis Bourousis and Ian Vougioukas.

Glyniadakis had his spot in the team confirmed when Katsikaris cut 2.08m forward Vladimir Giankovits.

Ioannis Athineou, meanwhile, has spoken highly of his experience with the national side this summer.

He was one of the youngsters who played with Greece during the preparations before being released earlier in the week.

"I found that I enjoyed it," he said.

"I tried my best as I was given the opportunity to be on the team for the World Cup.

"I am very happy and I think that was a very big step for me and I am looking forward.

"It is unusual and special to wear these clothes and represent the team and your country. This really has a lot of value."

Greece squad for FIBA Basketball World Cup: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Giannis Bourousis, Nick Calathes, Andres Glyniadakis, Kostas Kaimakoglou, Vaggelis Mantzaris, Kostas Papanikolaou, Georgios Printezis, Kostas Sloukas, Kostas Vasileiadis, Ian Vougioukas and Nikos Zisis.

FIBA