PAOK leaves Metsovo for Udine: The Italian trial by fire before the EuroCup

We are used to seeing big teams choose Austria or Switzerland as their springboard for a new season. But Andrea Trinchieri, a true Italian, chose Italy as the stage for PAOK. This is not just a regular tour; it is a strategic test where everything from playing tempo, chemistry between key players, to the ability of the squad to withstand pressure is exposed on the European stage. And there is a detail that few noticed: EuroCup, the very competition PAOK is aiming for, welcomed their duo of Nick Calathes and Cedi Osman with a message full of implications: "We can't wait to see this duo play together." PAOK have left Metsovo, their usual stop in training camps, to fly to Venice on the morning of Friday, September 4, before traveling by road to Udine. The destination is a friendly tournament organized in memory of Piera Paglieta, an influential figure in Italian basketball. The schedule is very detailed: they will face the host team Udine on Saturday, September 5 at 21:30 local time, and depending on the result, they will play the small or big final on Sunday, September 6 against Reggio Emilia or Napoli. Immediately after, on Monday, September 7, the whole team will travel to Milan for a week of intense training before the high-profile match against Armani Milan on September 12 at 19:00. Looking at this schedule, I recall what I have witnessed during my reporting stints: a seasoned coach like Trinchieri understands the value of facing teams with different playing styles during the preseason. Going to Udine, a team strong in physicality and the tough style of Italian basketball, is a perfect test for PAOK's defense. No advanced statistics were provided in the original article, but I have enough experience to realize that Trinchieri spending ten consecutive days in Italy is not random. He wants to see how his players react to the pressure of a knockout tournament, even if it's just friendlies. This is a psychological test before the official season begins. The most notable highlight of this tour is the availability of the two conductors: Nick Calathes and Cedi Osman. Calathes, a master of game orchestration, and Osman, a versatile wing who can score from many positions, are two perfect pieces for the style of play Trinchieri is building. The combination of Calathes' ability to read the game and Osman's explosiveness creates a dual threat that few EuroCup defenses can handle. EuroCup did not hesitate to praise this duo, a recognition showing they are not just big names but are expected to make a difference on the continental stage. I have followed many guard duos in my career, but the combination of a pure playmaker like Calathes and someone who can create his own shot like Osman is a rare complement. However, a difficult equation appeared even before the team left. Bryn Tyree, one of the important pieces in Trinchieri's rotation plan, will not be able to take part in this tour due to an arthroscopy. Tyree's absence is noteworthy. In a tournament with a dense schedule like in Udine, lacking a player who can create a spark from the bench will make PAOK rely more on the Calathes and Osman duo. This is both an opportunity for other young players to prove themselves and a potential risk if one of the two pillars faces fitness issues. I remember the 2026 season when I was too hasty to make a judgment based on a single source, and I paid the price. So, I will not rush to conclude that PAOK will be weaker without Tyree; instead, I will observe how Trinchieri manages with the current squad. Another detail worth mentioning is that Panathinaikos, a major force in Greek basketball, decided to "return" P. Giannakopoulos to PAOK during this tour. This shows that relations between Greek clubs still have a certain resonance, and a young player getting to play in a competitive environment like the tournament in Italy will be an important stepping stone for his development. This is a positive signal showing that PAOK not only focuses on the main squad but also cares about developing young talents. Overall, PAOK's Italian tour is a carefully calculated strategy. It is not just friendlies to warm up. This is a full dress rehearsal for the EuroCup campaign, where every position, every play, every coordination is tested under the pressure of a tournament. The biggest question right now is not whether PAOK is strong enough to beat Udine or Armani Milan, but whether they can find the necessary chemistry between their key players to be ready for the long and harsh season ahead. EuroCup's expectation for the Calathes and Osman duo is a statement, but also a warning that all eyes are on them. And as I have often asserted, hot news will cool down, but the lesson is expensive. PAOK is learning its lesson on Italian soil, and let us all wait and see what they bring back.