By Aris Barkas / barkas@eurohoops.net
Lille, France—After losing to Canada, Greece is now in a position where the game against Spain in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympic tournament’s group phase could be crucial for both teams’ quarterfinal ambitions.
Head coach of the Greek national team, which returned to the Olympics for the first time since 2008, Vassilis Spanoulis, commented on the defeat to Canada and the reaction his side showed in the second half against a team filled with NBA talent.
“All the matches we play are difficult. Each team has a different philosophy—Canada, Spain, Australia… There are three very good teams in our group. What we did in the second half of the premiere must be used as a guide for the whole tournament. The most important thing is that all the players understood how good a team we can be when we do the right things.”
He believes the winning formula lies in Greece’s second-half effort of the opening game.
“We have prepared in the best possible way for Spain. No matter how experienced you are, the premiere is special; there is pressure, a bit to feel the pitch and the atmosphere, and it took us a half. But the most important thing is the reaction we got, and the national team had years to get such a reaction against such a high-level team. This is very satisfying to me and shows our identity and mentality. Many times, you have to control your emotions and do your job.”
Spanoulis insists that his side must stick to its principles.
“Sometimes you get carried away, and you’re a little rushed, a little stressed. When you want it more than you should, it can have negative effects. We must be committed to our principles to win the match. We have seen Spain many times; we did not expect to see them against Australia. When you play with such intensity against Canada, one of the top teams in the world, we can expect nothing less than what we did in the second half of the first match.”
Commenting on Greece’s next opponent, the legendary point guard recognized the importance of the Spanish national team’s playmaker.
“Lorenzo Brown is a pivotal player in Spain’s game, and Llull takes a lot of responsibility. There are other good players in the attack, such as Willy Hernangomez and Aldama. Spain is a very good team, but certainly, Lorenzo Brown is one of the team’s leaders.”
He emphasizes the positives he saw in the game against Canada despite the defeat.
“The most important thing is often the way you see things. Often, a loss can do you much more good than a win. And beating Canada wouldn’t change anything; we’d definitely have to beat Spain or Australia to go through. For the new philosophy and culture we are trying to bring back to the national team, it is a victory against ourselves to play against Canada. With our emotions, with previous years when we lost, we were behind by 20-25 points… We won this first battle with ourselves; the next one is to be better than the first, to get what we deserve.”
Spanoulis was playing for Greece the last time they participated in the Olympics, and he sees the same energy among the team he now leads as a head coach in France.
“I have faith because I see the players. Right now, I’m not playing; the players are. Just watching the team every day and living it, seeing the belief, the spark in their eyes, the energy, and this great atmosphere and chemistry that we have, I remember our own times playing away from home, talking, laughing, getting together in the rooms… The national teams are a company, and this pleasure, the pride, is that we all gather together and strive for our Greece,” Vassilis Spanoulis concluded.
Larentzakis: “We have a great chance to win”
One of the Greek national team players, Giannoulis Larentzakis, believes his side has a great chance to return to winning ways against Spain.
“We want to show the face of the second half against Canada. The same defense, the same faith, and determination. In the first half, we started a bit sluggish; we weren’t what we should have been, and we’re used to it. I think Spain is a completely different team. They play a completely European style of basketball, like ours, and I think we have a great chance to win. All teams have weaknesses; I think you have to face Spain with pressure and a lot of contact, play with intensity in defense to find open spaces in transition, and go for offensive rebounds.”
Olympiacos‘ guard shared his thoughts about the experience of the Olympic Games.
“The Olympics are different. It’s unique when you play for your country. There is definitely pressure because we want to do something big, but I think we have worked hard enough. We have a great atmosphere, and through our work, we have faith in ourselves to succeed.”
After playing in the EuroLeague for a long time, Larentzakis is familiar with the phrase, “Every game matters.”
“We know what we have to do to get by. These competitions are special; you can advance or be disqualified for one point. Every phase counts and our minds are on the very important match against Spain. All matches are like finals; we take them seriously. Every game, every possession, every point counts.”
Circling back to the game against Canada, there was tension between him and NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I bumped into his teammate (Alexander-Walker), and he came right over and talked to me. I didn’t even react. He came, said his piece, and it was over. Nothing happened; I didn’t say anything. Okay, it’s over,” Giannoulis Larentzakis concluded.