By Aris Barkas / barkas@eurohoops.net
PARIS, France – Both head coaches of Germany and Greece stopped by at the mixed zone in Bercy Arena after a tough Quarter-Finals clash that saw the World Champions advance.
Following Gordon Herbert, who praised the approach of his colleague, Vassilis Spanoulis analyzed the encounter for his team. “We were there. The offense was the lead and the momentum of the game changed because of one, two big shots that we didn’t make but they did”, he first said.
“We took the lead again in the third quarter but small details changed the momentum and the psychology of the game. I’m very proud of everything we have done this season”, the former Olympiacos player had high praise of his team, whose run stopped in the Top-8 of the Olympics.
Vassilis Spanoulis also said that “everybody can be there”, following Gordon Herbert’s words. “For sure, the United States is pulling the bundles. But the others are going”, he commented ahead of the final days of the Men’s Basketball Tournament in Paris.
“Superman” Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points in the defeat, and Kill Bill was asked about his superstar’s performance this summer. “Giannis is very proud of the team and his teammates. But our team is not only about Giannis. He’s very blessed that we’re going together. I’m very blessed too to have this team right here”, he followed.
The Greek national team’s head coach continued. “We put Greece in the world’s table. We showed everybody we competed against the best. But we are a team that we can put the base. We have the base now, the culture, and the DNA again to do it in the next years to become a very good team”, he said.
Asked about Greece’s next step, he kept it clear. “The next step is to have the same kind of approach, the love of the country, the pride, and the possible ways to play the same defense because this is in the DNA of Greek guys. We have IQ. We have good players, great players in every position”, he continued.
“It’s a matter of details. We could have been in the Semi-Finals today, but we’re not. Maybe next year. We have to keep the core of this team, not change every year. This is very important. It’s not magical things that could happen. You can build on everything, putting more and more every year”, Vassilis Spanoulis finished.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA Basketball