We finished the regular season with a good win against BCM Gravelines. We had to try to beat them by 26 points to finish first but that was very difficult, obviously. We basicly had to play a perfect game and expect Gravelines to have a bad day if we wanted to beat a team like that by such a big margin. Confidence-wise, it was very important for us to keep our winning streak going and to have a better record. Our team gets better in every game we win and we are building strong team chemistry. We used that win for that, too — the more wins we can get, the better, of course!

As you probably know, we will face Khimki, Aris and Asvel in our Last 16 group — a tough one, isn't it? Khimki is obviously the favourite to go through. None of these three teams will be easy opponents, but hey, this is the Eurocup Last 16, you cannot expect weak opponent! As for Khimki, we will try to do whatever it takes to beat them. Khimki is one of the contenders to win the whole thing and it will be difficult. They have very good big men like Matt Nielsen and Kreso Loncar, and a great point guard in Zoran Planinic. They have a lot of experienced players and we will need to play really well against them.

I already played against Aris in Thessaloniki when I was with Panellinios, so I know what to expect. It was my first game with Panellinios and it was so loud! The gym was already full before the game and it was so loud that my head hurt three days afterwards. No, really, it's true! I am sure Aris fans will be there to support their team in the Last 16. It would be a big thing for Greek basketball to have a team in the Eurocup Quarterfinals after what is going on in the country right now. As for Asvel, our first game is in France and may be already the most important one. Asvel has a young team with two or three very experienced players. It might be an advantage for us, as we have a more experienced team. Their youth will help them, too, because they will be looking forward to doing well in a big European competition and proving themselves in that way.

Like I said, we didn't have much time off during the last two weeks, but Christmas day and New Year's evening was very relaxed. Some of us met to celebrate, but we had practice the following day, so we had a quiet time. We couldn't celebrate the way everybody wants to do it. We had work to do, after all! I am having a good time in Donetsk. It is obvious that people on the street know that you are a basketball player, especially since we are having some success. BC Donetsk had never made it to the Eurocup Last 16 before and we are playing well in the Ukrainian League, too. More and more people follow us and we get a lot of recognition. Basketball is growing in this city and it will get bigger and bigger. We are having more and more fans at each game, which is very helpful.

So, I want to wish all Eurocup fans a great 2012! Personally, I wish I have a lot of health. Everything else I will earn with hard work! I wish that Donetsk will win some titles in 2012, too. Again, I hope we earn everything good that is happening to us in the Ukrainian League and of course, in the Eurocup! See you next time!