Spanoulis: “We are here to qualify for the Olympic Games”

Clear about her goal National team in the pre-Olympic tournament was Vassilis Spanoulis in his statements at today’s media day. The federal coach emphasized that the only goal is to win the ticket from the pre-Olympic tournament so that the national team can take part in the Olympic Games.

“There is a pre-Olympic tournament in our country and we must compete with pride and faith in our abilities to achieve our goals. The most important thing is that we are all on the same page. We have nothing to fear, not our words, not what we will say, we are here to qualify for the Olympics, we are here to win the pre-Olympics and qualify for the Olympics. It won’t be easy. Nothing is easy, neither in sports, nor in life, but we are here to succeed“, he said, among other things.

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The statements of Vassilis Spanoulis in detail:

– the state of the National team ahead of the Pre-Olympic Games:

“I am glad that we are here to start a serious effort with the National team of our country. We are doing very well, even better than I expected. We definitely need work, the Pre-Olympic Tournament has specifics, you don’t have much time to prepare, but that applies to all teams. We are working well, tomorrow we have the first friendly and we will treat it as a very strong training session. The children have a lot of talent, experience and the most important thing is that they have the will to do something good with the national team”.

-the situation of Antetokounmpo and Sluka:



“In the Pre-Olympics everyone will be ready to play as far as I judge. There is a schedule, the medical staff that we have is great and the guys are very willing to deal with their injuries and get in quickly. But there is no need to rush, the most important thing is that we are all healthy. There is a plan and we are on track.”

-the key to qualify for the Olympic Games:



“Let’s all get on the same page in terms of philosophy and motivation. There is no room for egos here, self-sacrifice is needed. The most important thing is to understand that in the national team you may have a different role, but to do everything you can to contribute, to give your heart.”

-whether the fact that the players are coming off a full season is an advantage or a disadvantage:



“The advantage is that they really love their country and basketball. If you don’t love basketball and your country, you can’t play in the national team. We’ve all done it. The love and desire to succeed with your national team overcomes everything, many times the mental and physical fatigue. You also give your soul. From personal experience, you can have better years afterwards, because you also have time to rest afterwards.”

-the last participation in the Olympic Games in 2008:



“Don’t remind me (laughs). Even now I think about the shot I missed against Argentina. We missed an Olympic medal. Now we have a Pre-Olympic Tournament in our country, we must compete with pride and faith in our abilities. We have nothing to fear, we are here to win the Pre-Olympic Tournament and go to the Olympics. It won’t be easy, nothing is easy neither in sport nor in life, but we are here to make it.”

-the motivation to participate in the Olympic Games:



“There is huge motivation from all the kids. We have 15 years to bring a great success. It’s not a success going to 16, as much as we like to say that. Our players are for great things, they can’t win NBA championships, Euroleagues, be protagonists and not succeed. Something is definitely wrong. We have to find it. We have an excellent climate, we have already talked about it. Many times if you want something badly and you don’t play it right, you can’t get it. The most important thing for me is to play defense. For me everything starts there, this is the DNA of the Greek. We will not become a team that only plays defense. But every great team starts from the defense.”