Vassilis Spanoulis / “The door of the national team is open for everyone” – The first speech to the internationals

THE Vasilis Spanoulis gave the first date with 16 Greek internationals who called for the preparation of the national basketball team ahead of their first “window”. qualifiers of Eurobasket 2025.

The new federal coach of the men’s national team counts down for the first match of the “official sweetheart” which will be held on Friday (23/2, 21:00), against her Czech Republicat the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

Speaking to the press representatives, V. Spanoulis reminded that “the CHEF… carries her success of87“, he revealed that he told the internationals that “you do is not above from National team“, while he also sent a message that “h door of the national is open for everyone, as long as I’m a coach.”

He also went to SEF Kostas Sloukasalthough due to recent injury of will not play in the matches of the first “window” with Czech republic (23/2) and Netherlands (26/2), wanting to be at side of Greek internationals.

In detail, the new federal coach Vassilis Spanoulis emphasized at Media Day:

“I haven’t spoken to the kids at all. What we have managed to say is that no one is above the national team of the country. Nationalism is a duty, it is an honor and pride. What makes me happy is that most of the children are here. The national team is different from the clubs, the international teams represent an entire country and a nation. We have to deal with the national team with the utmost respect.”

Regarding the plans of the technical team, he explained: “We want to put our philosophy in the team. For me, the chemistry, the roles, the children coming with joy, with appetite, to serve their country are important. The door to the national team is open to everyone and will remain open to everyone as long as I am coach. If a player isn’t called up right now, it doesn’t mean he’s not good. Let him keep working and he may well be on the next call. The kids have a lot of experience, they have great performances and they will help the national team.”

Spanoulis added: “We thank all the teams who, in collaboration with the administration, worked perfectly so that all the children are here and show their love for the team. The important thing is that we are playing in Greece, SEF is a stadium that carries the success of ’87. I hope that some other kids in the future will start playing basketball through the success of these kids.”

Regarding the fact that there is a break in the Euroleague, as a result of which the national teams and players of the competition’s teams participate, he said: “It is very important that the players of the Euroleague teams are available, there will be more quality games. The children have experiences and performances, they have won titles and this will also help our own National team to assimilate some things faster. We want to thank the clubs, who, in cooperation with the federation administration, helped all the children to be here, even though they did not sleep at night. They are here showing their love for the national team, it is very important that they understand what a national team means.”

Asked about the relationship he will have with former teammates, he replied: “Relationships exist off the field. On the pitch everyone has to do their job, fulfill their role and obey what we say for the good of us all. The kids have a very high quality as people and athletes and they understand that.”

Finally, on whether he will forgive his players’ mistakes, he said: “Basketball is a sport of mistakes, the point is not to repeat the same mistakes, to be smart, to have the appetite to listen and work to improve.”

As for the two matches against the Czech Republic (23/2) and the Netherlands (26/2), Spanoulis was content to say: “These matches require more spiritual cooperation than competitive ones.”