PAOK Leaves Metsovo for Udine: Calathes and Osman Ready for Italian Tour

PAOK has just concluded their training camp in Metsovo and is now entering the next challenge: a ten-day tour in Italy under the leadership of Andrea Trinchieri. The dense schedule begins on Friday morning (4/9) when the entire team travels through Venice before regrouping in Udine, where they will participate in the Piera Paglieta memorial tournament. The opening match against hosts Udine at 21:30 on Saturday (5/9) will be the first test for the new core, before entering the final or third-place match on Sunday (6/9) against Reggio Emilia or Napoli. Afterwards, Trinchieri's squad will move to Milan on Monday (7/9) for a full week of training, culminating in a match against Armani Milan at 19:00 on September 12. The most notable highlight in the call-up list is the presence of the duo Nick Calathes and Cedi Osman. Both are fit and ready to play, a positive signal for the coaching staff as the team is in the process of testing its lineup. EuroCup, the competition PAOK is targeting, has also praised this duo, stating: "We can't wait to see this duo." The recognition from the competition itself shows that Calathes and Osman are not just depth additions but strategic pieces that could make a difference in the European Cup this season. However, not everything is perfect. Bryn Tyree, one of the key offensive threats, will be the only absentee on this tour due to arthroscopic surgery. Tyree's absence immediately creates a gap in the rotation, forcing Trinchieri to find alternatives in a tournament with only two official matches. This is a difficult puzzle for the Italian strategist, who will have ten days to observe and adjust, but it is also an opportunity for other young players or newcomers to prove their worth. The tournament in Udine is not just an opportunity for competitive experience; it carries the hallmarks of a deliberate tactical experiment. Facing Udine, an Italian team known for disciplined play and good physicality, will help PAOK test their ability to withstand pressing and organize their defense against a structured opponent. If they win, they could face Reggio Emilia or Napoli, teams of similar quality, creating a perfect test for evaluating the squad ahead of the EuroCup. Importantly, Trinchieri can use these matches to experiment with different combinations, especially the backcourt setup and the on-court partnership between Calathes and Osman. After Udine, moving to Milan for a full week of training is a strategic decision. Trinchieri, who understands Italian basketball better than anyone, wants his team to get accustomed to the harsh competitive environment and the pinnacle of European basketball style. The match against Armani Milan, one of the strongest EuroLeague teams, will be the most accurate measuring stick for PAOK's ambitions this season. This is not just a friendly match; it is an opportunity for the Greek team to benchmark their strength against a continental powerhouse, drawing valuable lessons before the official season begins. Another interesting detail in the report is that Panathinaikos is returning player P. Giannakopoulos to PAOK. This shows that the cooperative relationship between the two Greek clubs is still being maintained, and having another young player return will help strengthen the squad depth for the Thessaloniki-based team. From a media perspective, the story of PAOK's Italian tour is in its early stages. EuroCup's praise for the Calathes and Osman duo will certainly generate a positive media wave, but whether it can be sustained depends on actual on-court performance. If Calathes and Osman perform to their expected level in the matches in Udine and Milan, this story will be further amplified, creating a beneficial media vortex for PAOK ahead of the EuroCup. However, we need to be realistic: this is only the preseason. What happens in Italy does not fully reflect PAOK's true strength when they enter the official season. Teams tend to experiment, rotate their lineups, and not reveal too many tactical intentions during this period. Therefore, overrating or underrating PAOK's performance in this tour would be a mistake. The most important thing fans can expect is the integration of new signings, the return of key players, and how Trinchieri builds the team's playing style. The presence of Calathes and Osman in the lineup is a clear signal that PAOK is serious about their ambitions in the EuroCup. And with an experienced coach like Trinchieri, fans have every right to hope for a successful season. The question now is not whether PAOK will win or lose in the friendly matches in Italy, but what they will learn from those matches. Can Trinchieri find the winning formula for his team? Will Calathes and Osman form a cohesive duo as expected? And who will fill the void left by Tyree? All these questions will gradually be answered through each match in this Italian tour. The Italian tour is not just a preparation phase; it is a statement of PAOK's ambition. Facing strong teams like Udine and Armani Milan shows that the Greek team is not afraid to challenge themselves against Europe's top opponents. This not only helps them improve professionally but also creates a strong fighting spirit ahead of the new season. In modern basketball, preparing for a season is not just about physical and tactical training. It is a whole process of building identity, creating cohesion, and discovering the team's limits. PAOK is doing exactly that with this tour. They are preparing a solid foundation for an ambitious season. And as I have learned from forgotten matches, basketball always speaks; it's just that few people are willing to listen. These friendly matches may not get much attention, but they contain valuable information about a team's preparation. For those who know how to listen, PAOK is sending a clear message about their seriousness for the upcoming EuroCup season.