Vezenkov: “I’m ready for new challenges, but I’m also willing to stay at Olympiakos”

Only the conquest of this year’s championship with him Olympic it’s on his mind Sasha Vezenkov.

The Bulgarian forward spoke to his country’s television channel, clarifying that the discussions with Kings will be done after the end of his obligations.

At the same time, the MVP of this year’s Euroleague left open the possibility of him staying in the Piraeus team calling it his “home”, while of course he also talked about the lost Final Four against Real Madrid.

“We were very close to the Euroleague trophy. This is sport, we have to go on and fight. If you look at the last three minutes in the final, we didn’t play well on offense, we missed easy baskets and left spaces for them to shoot. They have a lot of quality and experienced players and that’s how we lost the game. I know my shot late in the game wasn’t the best option, but I thought we could close out the game. I had 29 points and I felt that God had decided that I would become the European champion, but it seems that was not the case. I didn’t know about Larkin’s record, I didn’t care. I just wanted the title.

Behind every award is hidden a lot of work and difficult moments that you have to go through, toil and work. This is not the most important thing. More importantly, the team finished first in the regular season, made another Final Four appearance, and those individual awards wouldn’t have come without it. I train in the summer, all year round and try to be 1000% focused on what I’m doing. There has been progress in recent years, but I want more and more. I want to fully develop and become better every day. I have a long way to go. I have not lived in Bulgaria, except for the summer“, were the first words of Sasha Vezenkov to the Bulgarian television station “BNT”.

To continue: “I know that in Botevgrad they respect me and I have left a good mark by at least setting an example for the children. Here in Greece, the fans live with the team, they have an opinion, they know the game. There are more ardent supporters. Criticism has never bothered me, but I’m not going to sit around thinking more than people who are just mean. On the Internet, anyone can write whatever they want without any consequences. If that criticism comes from someone who understands the game and someone who will make me better, then I accept it. Over the years I have learned to trust the people around me. It’s a team, but to me it’s my family. For me, this is the most important thing. First they tell me the truth in my eyes, and everything else is left to me. I don’t hide my feelings both when I’m happy and when I’m not».

For the Euroleague final:It was very difficult in the final. You’re mad because you were there. For two minutes, we saw ourselves going to the trophy, but that’s basketball. Last year it was almost the same. We won the third game against Fenerbahce with a basket in the last second and if it wasn’t for Kostas we might not have been in the Final Four. That’s basketball, that’s life, it gives you something, it takes something away».

For the Kings interest: “Right now, I’m only interested in becoming a champion with Olympiakos. I definitely feel very good that the coaches say such nice things about me, everything is business and a lot depends on how and when. We also said with the Kings people that it will be fairer to finish the Euroleague and the championship first and then see what we do. We will see if there will be a negotiation or if they will make me an offer directly. It is important what I want and generally it is many things. We said that the championship must be completed first. I’m ready for new challenges, but I’m also willing to stay. Athens and Olympiacos are my home. I feel great here. After the first difficult 2-3 years, we are playing very nice basketball. What matters most is what is best for my future. We haven’t talked about numbers or anything with the Kings».