Ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin (September 4–13), Greek international guard and Panathinaikos captain, Anna Niki Stamolamprou, speaks exclusively to SKWEEK.
The Greek international sheds light on the teams and players expected to star in the World Cup, analyzes the Caitlin Clark phenomenon that transformed the sport worldwide, and sets the agenda regarding the need to establish a fully professional league in Greece. At the same time, she discusses both the goals of Panathinaikos and her personal ambitions, revealing her ultimate dream with the National Team jersey.
- Which teams stand out to you in the upcoming World Cup?
I believe that the World Cup definitely represents the elite of women’s basketball, so naturally, all teams possess quality, talent, and distinct playing styles! There are certainly teams that might stand out in the upcoming tournament. The USA is historically exceptionally strong and always aims for the top. However, there are other teams as well—such as European Champions Belgium, as well as China and Japan—that we must pay very close attention to!
- Which European stars participating in the World Cup do you think make the difference?
I think a player who stands out in every tournament is Belgium’s star Emma Meesseman, along with Julie Vanloo! From France, a player who I estimate will have a great tournament is Marine Johannès!
- Which team do you think could be the surprise of the tournament? Is there one not among the top favorites that could go far?
Among the teams not listed as favorites, Nigeria stands out! It’s a team that can pull off surprises and earn “unplanned” victories. They are an experienced and exceptionally athletic team!
- The USA is coming in with a new generation that has already drawn immense attention. Tell us a bit about the Caitlin Clark phenomenon. What makes her so special as a player?
Caitlin Clark is a basketball phenomenon! She is an athlete with unquestionable talent. Her long-range shooting makes her constantly dangerous regardless of where she is on the floor; she has a very high basketball IQ and, consequently, reads the game amazingly well. Beyond that, what she has accomplished is something much bigger because she has changed the history of the sport.
Starting from the NCAA, she managed to bring Iowa into the elite of college basketball, attract huge crowds, and put women’s basketball at the center of attention, serving as a source of inspiration for so many kids! Later, with her transition to the Indiana Fever, interest in the league exploded, countless jerseys were sold, and ticket demand skyrocketed! Therefore, beyond her basketball skills, I would say she is the athlete who has contributed the most to changing the dynamics of global women’s basketball!
- How much has women’s basketball changed in the last 5–10 years? What do you see today that didn’t exist when you started out?
What has changed most is the level of our domestic league! In recent years, we see top Greek players competing in domestic teams, and the continuously improving league has attracted very high-caliber foreign players. More and more teams choose to compete in the EuroCup and EuroLeague with very high goals! Additionally, coverage has changed—we now see women’s basketball coming into Greek homes through television, as well as through social media in our daily lives.
- Greece has only two World Cup appearances, in 2010 and 2018. How far away do you think we are today from returning to the tournament?
Generally speaking, the level of women’s basketball worldwide has risen significantly! Year after year, FIBA tournaments in women’s basketball become harder, making participation in them equally challenging. I don’t believe we are far from our next World Cup appearance! However, for that to happen, we must take the qualification process step by step, through the EuroBasket. We are a generation in the National Team that is now considered very experienced, with exposure to top leagues! We’ve been working together for years, having set solid foundations, and I estimate that a success will come that will bring us closer to a World Cup participation!
- In recent years, we’ve seen several Greek players go to the US for studies—something you also did early on. How much did that help you competitively? Do you believe the next generation of Greek women has the level to bring the National Team back to a major tournament?
In recent years, more and more Greek girls choose the US to combine studies and basketball at a very high level! What America essentially offers you compared to Greece is the ease of combining academics with basketball—something quite difficult here, considering that boys and girls are forced to limit or stop training by their senior year of high school to meet the demands of the Panhellenic examinations. On the other hand, I don’t think America is an easy path either! Academically and basketball-wise, the demands are very high! Personally, it helped me mature and become a more complete athlete and basketball player. There are many young athletes who, if they work properly with the right mindset, will keep our National Team in very good hands in the coming years!
- When you watch a World Cup without Greece, what goes through your mind?
Undoubtedly, watching a World Cup without participating isn’t easy! I think about how much I would love for us to be there with our National Team. At the same time, of course, I think about what I could improve individually, as well as what we can do better as a team to get there!
- How do you view the current level of the Greek women’s league? Has the gap between it and top European leagues narrowed or widened?
Without a doubt, the gap with top European leagues has narrowed. It is clearly a much stronger league, with highly competitive games and surprises every single matchday! As I mentioned earlier, both the Greek players and the foreign players coming to play in our country elevate the standard.
- You are undeniably one of the most experienced players in the league right now. What do you think needs to change in Greek sports reality for the level of the competition to rise even further?
What definitely needs to change is the way women’s basketball is treated by the State! Our sport must become professional or at least semi-professional! We are talking about a league with 4+ foreign players, teams with substantial budgets competing in top European competitions like the EuroCup and EuroLeague, operating with professional sports demands!
If we want to close the gap with top European leagues further, we must follow strategies that have already succeeded abroad by making the women’s basketball league professional!
- Last year, Athinaikos WBC won the championship and this year is making the step to star in EuroLeague. How much does this alter the balance of power in the Greek league?
Overall, it is very good for the A1 Women’s League that there are now other teams investing in players and building strong rosters! In recent years, we were used to the Panathinaikos-Olympiacos rivalry. Therefore, it is positive that we have a more competitive league! I don’t think it changes the balances drastically, as in the past there were also other teams participating in the EuroLeague.
Both Athinaikos and our team—since we will go through the EuroLeague Women qualifiers—are considered two very high-quality squads that will be among those fighting for domestic titles. However, I see it as very positive that significantly more Greek teams are participating in the EuroCup!
- Panathinaikos renewed a major part of its core, including you as captain until 2027. What is the main objective for Panathinaikos this year?
Panathinaikos is a massive club with a heavy jersey! Therefore, the goals always remain the same and ambitious: winning the Championship, the Cup, and having a great run in Europe! We have a huge opportunity ahead of us through the qualifiers to reach the EuroLeague regular season!
- At what point in your career do you feel you are right now?
I feel I am at the most mature stage of my career! After the injuries I went through, I am back doing what I love with much greater motivation. I have played for very high-quality teams, gained experiences and exposure from European competitions. Every day, through the way I work, I want to set an example for my younger teammates.
- What would you still like to achieve?
I consider myself truly blessed and fortunate to have achieved far more than I dreamed of when I started playing basketball! One thing I would still love to accomplish is winning a medal with the National Team!