Xanthopoulos: “I’m not afraid to” swim “in the deep, we will be a team that never gives up”

After a great career in Greek and European parquet Vassilis Xanthopoulos This summer made the decision to put aside basketball clothes and wear a suit, taking over his reins Peristeri!



The 41 -year -old coach was “hosted” on Eok Webradio’s “Immediate Ripley” show and talked about the big decision to take over the technical leadership of Peristeri, and revealed his plans ahead of the new season. He said in detail:

In detail what he said:



For his decision to become the coach of Peristeri: “In the original discussion I had with Peristeri and Coach Limniatis, I was more likely to continue as a partner. From then on, there was a divorce with the coach. The team moved for other names as far as I know, but they ended up with me and made the proposal. I didn’t say “yes” straight. It was an honor, but also a huge surprise for me. The first thing I said was to let me think about it, because it’s not easy and I don’t know if it’s right. We had 1-2 meetings again, they showed me how much they believe in me and how much they will support me. I said within me that I would not be afraid to “swim” in the deep and after 1.5-2 months since I made this decision, after the first “yes” I said, I feel very good about it. “

On how he experienced the whole piece of roster design: “It wasn’t easy for sure, because the whole staff was gone, so I had to make Staff. In the first 10 days I did the job myself, along with the administration that helped me a lot in this piece. The important thing is that I found my partners, who play a very big role for me. As soon as this happened, the whole piece became easier. I calmed down, the jobs were shared and through a lot of searching, because we only held 2 players from last year, we managed to find the players we want. We went into a process of looking for players who are of good character mainly and who have ambitions. They are the two most important pieces for me. My philosophy is that we never give up and “chase” every possession. “

Whether the weight on his team will fall on the guard: “At the end of the race, most of the decisions are made by the guards. In essence, there is not as regular as the ability of each player. So I got Tai Nichols, who along with Si Jay Harris are on-ball players and can play one by one. “

For the stay of Si Jay Harris: “Si Jay Harris had agreed to renew before I sign in the team. I wanted him of course. He is an experience player who knows the Greek league and has played in teams that have European obligations. He is a player who will come forward to the difficult. He is also good in the locker room, he is … a leader. “

To acquire Alvaro Cardenn: “A scouter had come to come during the season to see Neocles Avdalas and suggested to see Cardenas. He sent me his name, I saw him for some time and I asked him about that player. We were lucky in this piece because 10 days before closing in Valencia he told me that he would close him in Valencia and borrowed. I had moved very early on the Spanish teams and had agreed with him. I had told him about his role, because he is a pure playmaker, I gave him the role he wanted, and I think he can perform them with this role. He is a clever player, very mature for his age and I think will help us a lot. “

For Jake Van Toubergen: “He’s another player I ‘chased’ very much. He has made a terrible step-up over the last two years. He can play in “3” and “4”, he can mark from “1” to “4” and I think I’m doing well to “chase” him, because … I was very suffering. We’re talking about many phones. A great job was done by all partners and the administration. He is a multidimensional player. It can give us a lot of things, both on the racket and the ball away from the ball. “

How important European obligations have played in design: “It was very important, because I was able to reach out to players who would not come otherwise. Secondly, the team was made to have two matches a week. The roster is made with this perspective. “

On whether they will move on to another move: “There is a chance to close another little one, which will be played with the 12th place with him and one more from the teenage. We have kept Dimitris Papageorgiou since last year’s teenage season. It’s a very good point-guard, evolving. In general, I am of the opinion that in order to identify people with the team and have more people on the pitch it is important to have children from the academies. Peristeri’s program is pretty good and can be even better. Nikos Tzialas will also be in the team, it will be reasonably given with a double card to the East. We will also have children from the teenager, completing a group of 15-16 people, so that we have enough children in the team to help us in training and get experiences too. “

For the statement he had made a few weeks ago “to become the best version of ourselves”: “I want to go home at night and have done the best I could. If others are better than us and have won, but we have given the best we could, I am okay with it. With the team we have made I think that if we do this thing we will go very well. It’s hard to convince them all. I will be very demanding of all my children and my partners and especially from myself. With the work and communication we will have between us we will get to this point. When we get to this point, we will be a very good team. “

For things that do not want to change to the same as a coach anymore: “When I said ‘yes’, I said to keep two things. One was that I want to keep my principles as a human being, not to change as a human being. The second is that I have to be just as right against my former teammates, my current players. I know … a fair coach is nobody, but I will try to be as fair as I can. This starts from the beginning when you close the players. “

As to whether he is even prepared for the negative moments: “It is part of the process all this and I understand it. I always said that in order to become a coach it is very important to have … a strong stomach. I know I will “eat” a first … cold at the beginning, so I want to play a lot of friendly so that I can feel good on the edge of the bench. I’m prepared. I have a group of people next to me with whom we have had hours discussions about this piece. I know how the situation in Greece is. We may not have a big budget, but I feel very good with what we have done so far. I didn’t expect to feel good from the first season. It remains to be seen that our players have understood their roles, to see that they can accomplish them and, from now on, the team will “bind”. To have our health and everything will go well. “