By Nikos Varlas / varlas@eurohoops.net
Vassilis Spanoulis will begin his 7th season in Olympiacos. Undoubtedly, he has changed the club’s route and has become one of the emblematic figures in European basketball.
He talks on Eurohoops about last season’s finals in the Greek league, Dimitris Diamantidis, Euroleague and weather it has changed, as well as the players he finds to be standing out the last 30 years in Greek basketball.
Olympiacos got the Greek championship the previous season after edgy finals. Spanoulis reminisces: “It’s the first time in the Greek championship that something like that has happened and it might never happen again. All games ended with such small deficit.”
However, he moved on rather quickly: “I might start thinking about last season’s finals when my career is over. I hope this moment won’t arrive soon! Now I have to focus on the new season, dreams and aspirations. We’ll just be more hyper this season!”
As the veteran that he is, Spanoulis knows that only hard work pays off: “I have to work on things I didn’t when I was younger. All that matters is how much you love what you do. Your goals can revive you and make you feel like a little kid again.”
Has Euroleague really changed in terms of game style? Spanoulis disagrees: “The titles are acquired by teams that stick to pick ‘n roll. Of course the game has become faster, but there’s a difference between fast and clumsy. A team has to live up to all styles in order to succeed.”
“We (Greeks) have to be proud as a nation”, Spanoulis declares. “We have great athletes in Greek basketball, probably among the best of all time in Europe. I wish for the criticism to focus on the players’ achievements, rather than the team they played at. I know it’s difficult [laughs], but personally I’m very proud for all the players that have made Greek basketball stand out over the years.”
Has he given his own “farewell” from basketball a thought after Dimitris Diamantidis’ departure this summer? Spanoulis explains: “It’s not my job to think about it. My job is to help Olympiacos. Other than that, it’s very important that Dimitris was honored the way he was and he deserved it all. I just don’t like talking about myself on such matters. My sole interest is to offer as much to my team for as long as I play here. I’ve been entwined with the team, it feels like home, family. Only when you feel this way you can give your whole self to the game.”