Speaking on the ESAKE website, Vassilis Xanthopoulos expresses the belief that the Colossus can perform even better. The 37-year-old guard talks about his role in the team, but also the prospect of playing in Europe.
«The first goal, as I said in the Presentation of the 30th Professional Championship, is to mathematically ensure our stay as soon as possible and then to look at something more“, Explains the experienced playmaker and underlines:”Given the return of Olympiacos, entering the octave will be a success. Of course, when you get to the point of claiming the qualification to the playoffs, the aim is to occupy a position from 3 to 6 in order to avoid in the first phase to meet with Olympiakos or Panathinaikos OPAP».
– The Colossus H Hotels, however, has shown character so far and has gone through two difficult seats, Aris and AEK …
“We show that we are in a good position in terms of competition. We have not lost any of the so-called off-schedule. Only in the first match we played a bad match and lost in Larissa to the local team in overtime. I also believe that we have room for improvement. The team has not played to its full potential. “He has not played as well as we want and I think we can.”
– It also has a better roster from the last seasons …
Yes, we seem to have a little more “depth”. 10 of the 12 players are new. In these cases, the teams usually need a credit of time until they get to know each other and assimilate the coach’s philosophy and have, at least in the beginning, a disadvantage compared to the teams that have a “backbone” from the previous season. Fortunately, so far we have a positive record and we look a little better at the future “.
– And is it important to work with good psychology?
“It definitely helps in everyday life to work with good psychology, although good teams seem difficult. It is also important that we have good “locker rooms”. We have good characters and the relationship between us is great. “The basis for a team to do well is the ‘locker rooms'”.
– Personally you are 37 years old but on the floor you show 27. How do you do it?
“I do not know how I look (laughing), but I still feel very nice. “And I have an appetite for what I do, to play basketball.”
– And you do not stop giving assists …
“Yes, I like to assist. It is true that if I do something well on the pitch it is. I like to “direct” the game. “I prefer to give assists to my teammates than to score myself.”
– Why did you decide to continue for the second racing year at the Colossus H Hotels?
“It was a combination of things. Last season was difficult due to the problems caused by the coroner but it ended at the Colossus H Hotels as I wanted. It was a very good season individually and as a team. In addition, the Colossus H Hotels is a reliable team, it pays on time something very important for the reality of Greek basketball. It is still very important that I have “bonded” with the people of the team and the coach, for whom I went to Rhodes, and the rest of the technical staff remained. The only negative thing about putting the data on the scales is that I am away from my family for the second year in a row “.
– What is your opinion about the Stoiximan Basket League as a whole?
“The rise started from the last Championship. The Stoiximan Basket League of this season gained another prestige with the return of Olympiacos, however, all the teams have been strengthened and the Championship is more competitive. In the first six games we have seen many surprises and in the 6th game we saw only victories of the guests, something unprecedented “.
– I will not ask you when you will stop, but what are your ambitions for the future.
“What I want is to stop at a good level of competition. “Not to be in a situation where I have to stop.”
– Will Colossus H Hotels play in Europe?
“It simply came to our notice then. The Colossus H Hotels now has its own stadium that can be used as a headquarters in European competitions. Rhodes also has a daily air connection, at least, with Athens, even in winter. Of course, a team with greater “depth” must be created, additional travel expenses must be provided, etc. Because the management has a vision and given the new stadium, I believe that at some point it will do so. The Colossus H Hotels will decide to play in Europe “.
– Do you want to add something else?
“I wish you good health. It is very beautiful that people have returned to the stadiums. I wish the Stoiximan Basket League to continue its upward course “.
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