The belief that he would soon be level Euroleague coaching emphasized Vasilis Spanoulis in his statements ahead of today’s match against Monaco at OAKA.
The federal coach and now also of the principality team pointed out that he has been to OAKA many times as an opponent both as a player and as a coach and emphasized the need that his players should be ready to play at the highest level in order to be able to respond to the requirements of today’s match.
The statements of Vassilis Spanoulis in detail:
“Let’s just say I was born to live for basketball. I don’t know how, but for me basketball and family are everything in my life. So I have a lot of confidence. When I started coaching, I knew that very soon I would be in the EuroLeague, but I wanted to start in my own way, like I started basketball. I have a lot of experience to show everyone what we can do and then go to the next step.
When I started coaching, I knew I would be in the EuroLeague. I’m not selfish, I’m a very humble guy. I was raised by my family with great values. I am very humble, but I have a lot of confidence in myself. Pressure for me is something I’ve dealt with my whole life. I like the pressure. Whatever pressure everyone puts on me, I put that pressure on myself first. I learned this from a young child and I feel no pressure. Everyone has their own opinion. I don’t care. The most important thing is that I put the pressure on myself. That made me feel good. Pressure is something I’ve dealt with all my life, so no problem.
I’m a coach who really likes to have positive energy in the team, everywhere in the team and in the locker room. To care for each other and be spiritually strong. If we lose a match or if we make a serious mistake it is not something that should break us. We have to work hard, it is not easy to win the EuroLeague title. Some players struggle their whole lives and don’t make it. It takes a lot of things to become a champion in the EuroLeague.”
About the atmosphere of OAKA and the match with Panathinaikos:
“For a coach this situation does not change things much. This is of course an important issue for the media. But in my career I played many matches in OAKA both as a player and as a coach of Peristeri. Many talk about this issue, but for me this is a normal situation, no different from other games. As a team, we have to be ready to compete at the highest level.”
On his decision to take over Monaco:
“I know the EuroLeague and I know a lot of players here. After a very good discussion with the president and the GM it was a very good decision for me to come to Monaco. I talked to the guys about what we can do and where we want to go. We have very little time to prepare for this first match, the mental part will be important, we have prepared the video”.
On his relationship with Mike James:
“We have a very good relationship, the most important thing is respect. Mike is very competitive, he always wants to win. Any coach would be happy to have Mike James with the ball in his hands. At the same time, everyone knows that basketball is a team sport, it’s not tennis, we have to play together offensively and defensively. Mike knows very well that he needs his teammates.”
About the roster:
“The roster is very good, that’s why I came here. I believe in their potential, in their talent. During these two days I was able to see the work ethic of this team, they want to learn, they ask a lot of things. It is not easy for them to change. In general I don’t like to take over during the season, it’s not my philosophy, because I don’t know the habits of the players. But the children are very mature, we will adapt little by little.”
About his philosophy:
“We can run more. We have a very talented team in attack and I think we can also become the best team in the EuroLeague defensively. We have many creators, if we move faster we can be more efficient. I have to say that I have the most respect for coach Obradovic, he has built a great team here. Every coach has a different philosophy. My own philosophy is that I like to run. I like the speed, I like everyone to participate in the tension. I’m sensitive about the chemistry of a team, the cohesion, the connections between the kids.”
On whether the goal is to win the EuroLeague:
“Yes, that’s why I came here, but winning the EuroLeague requires sweat. The main thing for me right now is not that, but to make my team play to its maximum potential, to play together, to have fun playing basketball, for all the players to be happy when their teammate is playing well.”
Source: Sport Fm
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