Spanoulis: “I like that the team has confidence – The kids are starting to understand better the basketball I want”

Her second sample was excellent National teamwhich at the premiere of the Acropolis tournament prevailed with impressiveness 86-57 of Montenegro.

The Federal coach of Greece, Vassilis Spanoulisstood with his statements in self confidence that his players bring out on the floor, but also to the fact that they had a very good circulation with 26 assists.

At the same time, he referred to Giannis Antetokounmpowho was absent due to illness, while he also spoke about the virtues that this group has and is distinguished by.

The statements of Vassilis Spanoulis in detail:



About the game: “I believe that today we took more than one step forward. We had a few more days to work and put some elements into our game. Our defense was excellent, we have said that everything starts and ends with the defense in this national team, nobody was left behind. We had very good circulation, we had 26 assists again, we controlled the rebounds better and the guys are starting to understand better the basketball that I want and I believe will make us successful. We took a lot of free kicks, I like that the team is confident and takes those shots, it’s something we haven’t shown in previous years. We worked on some things defensively in the morning and the guys applied it, which shows the IQ of our players. One of them was the trap on Vucevic, which we did exceptionally well.”

For Giannis Antetokounmpo: “Yoannis Antetokounmpo is a bit sick, he has a bit of a fever and I thought it best so that no one gets infected that he stays at home and comes to training tomorrow. Tomorrow he will train normally and our plan is for him to play some minutes with the Bahamas.”

For the many three-pointers: “We don’t go into the match and say we’re going to shoot so many three-pointers and so many two-pointers. We have great playmakers and we will always take what the opposing defense will give us. Guys shoot without a second thought and I love that. I care that we have good options and we do that to a very high degree in these games.”

For the team: “Generally, as a coach, I like to play the basketball that suits my players. We have great size, we have very good defenders, we can play a lot of different defenses and be aggressive. I was sure we would play good defense. I see it in training with the intensity with which the children play. We will also improve some things through scouting to become an even better defensive team.

What we wanted to improve we saw today. With Poland we had a bad first quarter and today we changed it. Today we got a lot of offensive rebounds and played great basketball for a longer period of time than we did on Friday. We played 40 minutes very well and I have no complaints from the lads. There is no need for big words, we are here to go to the Olympic Games and we will give our soul for it.”

On the fact that he played with three guards: “It’s not a new trend to play with two or three guards. Ivkovic did it, Obradovic did it, the National team did it in their great successes. When you have size and when you have a lot of good players, they fit together. Calathes and Walkap are two excellent players and they can comfortably play together.”

About his relationship with Giannis: “With Giannis Antetokounmpo we have an excellent relationship, there is respect and we are on the same page. All he wants is for us to win, it’s something he lacks, like all the kids. That’s not pressure, for me it’s motivation. I would be crazy not to take advantage of Giannis’ potential, but as he himself understands, the team has very good material and he himself realizes it because he is an excellent character.”