By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – Greece couldn’t be competitive against Turkey in the semifinal game of Eurobasket 2025 and coach Vassilis Spanoulis wants this to change on Sunday in the bronze medal game against Latvia.
As he explained in the press conference: “I think it was a bad day, it started with Giannis’s missed layups, continued with Osmani’s three-pointers and we conceded a lot of off-ball baskets. Now we look at Sunday’s game. For us it is a final, the biggest game in the last 16 years and we have to win it for our country and the next generations”.
Spanoulis added about the game against Turkey: “Congratulations to Turkey, they played better. We played our worst game, with many mistakes, immature mistakes. Our energy and plan were different, we didn’t execute them, but it can happen to anyone. I am proud of my players and we have to focus on the next big game. We are at the end and it is the biggest game for us, so that we can get a medal”.
Analysing the game he explained: “Turkey made the shots, they have Sengun who can pass well, they have very athletic guards who can play good defense, they have size, their tall guys hedge out well, they close the passing angles and we couldn’t make the quick pass. We held the ball a lot and made a lot of mistakes. They are a very good team, they played much better than us. The entire defensive function was focused on Giannis. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a human being, even though he doesn’t do earthly things in this tournament. He is amazing, our leader along with Sloukas and Papanikolaou. I am blessed that we are together and represent our country. He happened to have a bad game, but I believe he will be ready for Sunday”.
Regarding Finland, he added: “Finland plays with a lot of energy, they shoot a lot, they move the ball quickly and we have to be ready”.
As for whether there is disappointment about the result of the semifinal, Spanoulis clarified: “It is not a disappointment to be in the four best teams in Europe after 16 years. Turkey played better, won and we should have energy for Sunday. This match is a big deal and we are facing a very good team.”