Spanoulis: “From the beginning I had proposals from the Euroleague – Glykopikro because of Diamantidis’ three-pointer in the 2016 finals”

For more than a week now, Mr Vasilis Spanoulis he is her coach Monacowhich he even led to victory in his debut in the Euroleague, against Panathinaikos, while tonight (04/12) he will face Olympiakos (20:00).

The Greek coach and “legend” of Greek basketball gave a long interview to “Equipe” and talked about what he wants to change and achieve in Monegasquesin life at Monaco in relation to the one in Athens, but also in his passion for basketball which is a guide for his career choices.

At the same time, he referred to one of the most historic moments of his career, the winning three-pointer in OAKA in fourth final of 2016, which awarded the championship to Olympicemphasizing that the only thing he regrets is that he scored in front of Dimitris Diamantidiswho was then playing his last game.

In detail what he said:

On the team he found when he took over Monaco: “I saw talent, but at the same time, a team that didn’t play together enough, with a lot of isolation and players who didn’t show enough joy on the pitch. Of course, keep in mind that I have enormous respect for Saša Obradović’s exemplary work here for three years – three quarter-finals and one Final Four.”

On life in Monaco compared to Athens: “I see this new cycle as an opportunity to change the way and path to success. Everything I need is here. I feel good, the organization is top notch and the environment is similar to my daily life in Athens, even being close to the sea.”

For the basketball he wants to play: “I want a modern basketball, where we run a lot, with transitions, freedom, where we don’t run systems like robots. But also that we can control the pace, understand when to accelerate or play in the half court. I dream that in the long run, the players will achieve this without me having to intervene. It’s beautiful, such a level of mastery.”

On whether his passion for the game led him into coaching: “It’s true. When I do something, I always do it to be the best. The coach’s job is no exception. During my career I didn’t necessarily imagine myself as a coach, but I was obsessed with basketball, how to improve my game, that of my teammates, I had great conversations with them and the great coaches I had the opportunity to work with. After my career, I thought about taking a break for a year or two, but when my agent Misko Raznatovic convinced me to take the EuroLeague youth team, I quickly realized that it was in my blood.”

For the reasons he chose Peristeri first: “I had offers from the Euroleague, but I made it a matter of honor to start from the bottom, like when I was a player in Larissa, then in Maroussi before Panathinaikos and Olympiakos. To prove to myself and others that I deserved to be there and I could be myself, bring my identity.”

For the buzzer beater with Panathinaikos in the 2016 finals: “It’s one of my best moments, probably because I had achieved some crazy things in the last three matches of these finals. It was the derby. We brought a title to Olympiakos. My only bittersweet taste is that I did it against Dimitris Diamantidis, my friend and teammate in the national team, whose last match it was. But for us, this shot made history.”