Spanoulis: «We want to build a winning team»

What the Olympiacos captain Vassilis Spanoulis wants for the new season, is a … marriage of experience and youth, so that a winning team, with character and distinct roles can be born!

“It’s a new season. We begin a season full of ambition and dreams. It takes hard work to succeed what we want”, the captain said during the first official practice of the new season. Asked on whether the situation reminds him of 2011, he replied: “There are definitely some common elements, but you never know whether seasons are going to evolve the same way. I wish it does. There are new faces, new philosophy. It’s going to take time to bring what the coach wants on the floor”.

Navarro’s records and his chance of breaking them is something of no concern to him: “I expect the team to do well. To win titles, to remain healthy, which was something that we missed in the previous seasons. The team is above all else and individual achievements only follow”.

When asked to comment on the renewed Olympiacos, he said: “We have young talented players coming in, some that play for the first time at this level. We need to marry experience with youth. Combine these elements and bring them on the floor. The thing is to build a team that has a winning attitude, character and distinct roles. The team and its success must be above everyone else. It is the only way for the team to succeed”.
A little earlier, coach David Blatt had spoken very highly of V-Span. “I wish to thank him for his kind words, it’s nice to hear your coach speak highly of you. I’ll do the best I can to help the team come back to winning titles. We have spoken about a lot of things with the coach. We have had a good talk”.

Finally, talking about his conditioning, he pointed out: “I’m fine, I have rested. I’m ready for a tough pre-season. We need to put a lot of working hours in the gym. It’s going to take time and strong minds. On my part, I’m ready and in good shape and I’m ready to help the team”.