It's time for a reunion between Vassilis Spanoulis and Olympiakos. At 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday, the Greek coach will have a little pang in his heart when the opposing players enter the Monegasque court, for the 13th day of the Euroleague: “I spent more than half of my career there, I incredible memories, immense love for the fans, the team,” he admits. But his team, from now on, is the “Roca Team”, fourth in the competition, which receives third.
“Our identity: playing collectively”
Spanoulis highlights the work of his predecessor Sasa Obradovic, but recognizes a different vision. “I saw a talented team that didn’t always play together,” he explains. Beyond everyone's tremendous talent and egos, we must be a family. »
Despite “half of a collective training” before Panathinakos (91-88), none before Bourg (109-94), he appreciates “the effort, the concentration, the desire of the guys to play together”, even “ there is still a lot to improve.” “In two matches, we made 26 and 27 assists, a huge number. It shows our way of playing, the identity: sharing the ball, playing as a team, finding the best solution,” enthuses Spanoulis, nicknamed “Kill Bill” because of his decisive baskets at the end of the match.
Best Monegasque in Athens, Alpha Diallo already finds that the team “shares the ball more” and “involves more players”. “Everyone is happy and ready to play defense,” he said. With this trainer, we insist on a faster pace. This creates more possessions, more assists. We are on the right track. »
Korkmaz, Jaitey and Calathès still absent
In the Greek capital, “the hostile environment was a huge motivational boost,” continues Diallo, who knows that Olympiakos is a very physical team with strong rebounding. “But we are very athletic and we can become one of the best defenses in the competition,” he insists.
“Olympiakos, one of the best in Europe, plays altruistic Basketball,” adds Spanoulis. They move perfectly without the ball, know each other and the recruits are very good.” Like Fournier, “a great player who started slowly to understand the club, the environment and the game, and became a valuable weapon for them”.
Monaco, on the other hand, still cannot count on Korkmaz (tailbone), Jaitey and Calathès (knee). For the latter who knows Spanoulis’s expectations by heart, the coach specifies: “He is in the last stage of his convalescence. We expect his return in two weeks. »
It will be essential to disseminate his ideas. “I have so much to say to the guys, but we have to be smart and take it slowly,” Spanoulis concluded. First, let's shape our identity. Then, every week, we will add something. » In the meantime, he and his staff are holding more interviews and video sessions “so that the players understand their role and the identity of the team”.
Forget your memories with Olympiakos for an evening
The arrival of Olympiakos in the Principality awakens memories. In addition to the reminder of the lost semi-final (76-62) in 2023 and the elimination in the fifth match of the play-offs in 2022, this meeting will be an opportunity to see Evan Fournier again in a hexagonal room with a different jersey from Blues.
“For 40 minutes, we will be opponents, more after that,” assures Spanoulis. Everyone knows what Olympiakos means to me. I spent more than half of my career there. I have incredible memories, immense love for the fans, the team. » But the Greek promises to forget “this special bond (to) take care of Monaco”.
“The stories behind this match are out of context,” he snaps when we talk about his reunion with Kostas Papanikolaou, with whom he won two Euroleagues. “We all have excellent relationships, but we are professional. I will do anything to win. »
