“The important thing is that the team wins, not I”
Vassilis Spanoulis is the MVP of this season’s Euroleague but, as the Olympiacos captain has said “what counts is that the team is at the Final Four, not individual achievements”
On whether CSKA Moscow is out to get revenge: “When you win the trophy, next season is tough. Being here is really important, it proves that it wasn’t chance that brought us to the top last season and we proved to have a good team”.
On last season’s final: “This is going to be a totally different game than last season’s. Both teams have changed philosophy, we have different coaches and players, it’s going to be a different game. You don’t need motivation to play games like that. I don’t have a promise to make. Each one is free to enjoy this game anyway they feel like”, he answered.
On the pressure put on his team: “The pressure was here the whole season till we made the Final Four and proved we weren’t relying on fate. From the moment we achieved each one of our goals, and this was many times with our backs against the wall, we were going after something new. We are now participating a celebration of basketball and we are going to do the best we can to repeat something important for the team”.
On the MVP award: “It’s a good thing that the team is in the Final Four. This is the most important thing. Individual achievement is important but the joy is double when your team achieves its goal. To make it there, you have to work hard, have mental and physical balance. You have to always work harder to correct your mistakes”.
On Nikos Galis: “You should have been honored years before. But it’s better late than never. He’s the reason we are playing basketball and the reason I came to love the sport. We are grateful for what he has offered. More Greek athletes, like Giannakis, Fassoulas and Christodoulou should be honored accordingly since they deserve it”.