Spanoulis: "I'll be returning stronger"!
Vasilis Spanoulis experienced discomfort and it was decided that he would not play against Valencia for protection.
"It's a painful effort what I've putting in the last couple of months", Vasilis Spanoulis explained and went on: "I'm not used to injuries but they are part of sports. I'm up for rehabilitation this time having suffered a bone edema... It takes time for the leg to recover. Some things take their time, I cannot set the pace. It's still November and I'm not risking anything".
The captain promised to return stronger... "I have already started practicing with the team. When you haven't practiced for two months, it's certain that everything will be hurting in addition to the problematic arean. So it takes patience. This injury happned. I'm not used to situations like that... It's a very tough period for me, but as I've doing with every other aspect of my life, it's only certain that I'll be coming back stronger. I repeat, it's very hard. I haven't been that patient in my life. I have never experienced something like that before. It's still very early in the season and I want to make sure when I come back so I can help my team as I should".
He did not forget thanking everyone... "I wish to thank the team doctors, the physios, the trainer, the coach, the administration for all the support they've been giving all this time. I also wish to thank the fans for the support. I know it's hard. I know that everyone is expecting to see me on the floor. But if they are anxious about seeing me there, it's thousand times that for me. It's something that upsets me, but I'll be coming back healthy and strong. They can count on it".
On how he sees the team without him: "Everything is going fine. We are among the top seeds in the Euroleague. We had two negative results against Panahtinaikos and that kind of had an impact on the atmosphere around the team. But it's still very early in the season... We saw that last year as well... We did an amazing season, played the Euroleague final which is so tough. We did not get to celebrate a title at the end. There is a group of 4-5 teams in Europe that for better or worse are judged by the number of titles they win. We need to have a steady course, so as to find chemistry, our roles, have good psychology, play good basketball and find ourselves in the best condition possible when the title deciding games are here".
On tonigt's game and the absence of Mantzaris and himself: "Vangelis has had more than ten injections. He needs to get his foot right. It's a tough game. The ranking does not do justice to Valencia. Each Euroleague game is different. It's still early... All the teams are looking for chemistry and roles on the floor. Olympiacos has proved he can overcome any obstacle and we hope he does the same tonight".