Liolios for Spanoulis: “It’s a bit funny to say ‘Santa, you’re welcome’, because you’ve always been here”

THE Vangelis Liolios talked about his offer Vasilis Spanoulis in the National team, during his presentation as the new coach of the “blue and white”. The president of EEC spoke about the new page that is being opened for the national team, stressing that Vassilis Spanoulis is the right person to keep the helm of the team.

“It is a very important moment. I must thank Mr. Itoudis as president of the EEC for all the help, contribution and effort these two years have given to the National team. I must also thank Mr. Manolopoulos, but also the rest of the staff for their love and dedication. We decided together to end our collaboration, a little prematurely, but from the first moment it was our decision to give the position to Vassilis Spanoulis. The National team is judged as a biennial, we had two different elements, in the Eurobasket and the World Cup. We had no competitive success, but two quality elements. In the first year we had conscription and in the second we had unity, a whole, a team. Our thinking was that in order to go to the next stage we needed both mobilization and unity. Family. The National team represents all of us, it is above all of us“, he initially reported and added:

“The most suitable coach for this position is Vassilis Spanoulis. The National team needs to present itself as in the past. I am very happy that this new effort will be led by Vassilis. All of us, united and united must represent an entire nation. It’s a bit funny to say ‘Santa, you’re welcome’, because you’ve always been here. He has always been a soldier of the National team, since yesterday he is a general. What we dream about for the national team, I am sure we will live with Vassilis».

In response to a question about whether he had thought of entrusting the reins of the Men’s National Team to Vassilis Spanoulis earlier, the Vangelis Liolios replied: “Better late than never. Some things have to be done at the right time and now is the right time. If you told me to rewrite history, I would say that we all do the same things to get back to today. It is very important that we are here today and the federal coach is Vassilis Spanoulis. We hope it will be for many years, this is our mood and will. I don’t know if it will be me, but I hope that Vassilis will be here and that we can say that this national team is our team, of all Greeks».

When asked if it is a leap to trust Vassilis Spanoulis who has little experience as a coach, he answered: “I’m sure about Vassilis, it’s not a jump, it’s a necessity. I am calm and confident and I feel that this is how all Greeks feel. When we spoke with Vassilis, from the first moment I was impressed by one thing. His gaze was mesmerizing. It is often not what we say, but how».

On whether we receive messages from FIBA for the Pre-Olympics: “We filed a complete file for the Pre-Olympic Tournament. We have to hold such an event for 16 years, if we finally get it. We will be happy if FIBA ​​honors us and gives it to us, because next year, in 2025, we will also have the Women’s Eurobasket. It means that we are getting back on the map of major events, because Greece needs extroversion. On November 15th we will know, it is not an easy process, because there are many nominations. We are optimistic that we will manage to get one of the four tournaments. EEC is here to help the National team, but always in a proper fiscal environment. This will not affect the finances of the federation. The National team is the pillar, but there is amateur basketball, there are the unions and we must support so that the National team can also be helped in the future. We must provide for everything, for an even envelope and the financial neutrality of the Pre-Olympic Games. Trust me, we will make it. We want to put the inoculation at the roots, in amateur basketball. I want to believe that we are on the right track, but one thing is optimism, another thing is confidence».

The Head of National Teams, Municipality of Dikoudis stated: “Thank you to the coaches who worked the past two years. We are changing the page. Vassilis is characterized by a great passion for basketball and distinction. He is a person who we believe will lead us to success in the big goals we have. I want to wish him the best of luck».

The General Manager of the Men’s National Team, Nikos Zisis, said: “I would like to personally thank Dimitris Itoudis and Sotiris Manolopoulos, as well as the rest of the staff, for their hard work and dedication. Vassilis and I started together in the 2000 Junior Eurobasket. We are living a historic day. I’m excited, you all know our relationship. We all know what Vassilis means to Greek basketball and the National Team. I think he is the right person in the right position. It will inspire all people and especially the players. All of us in the federation will be helpful,” he said