By Antonis Stroggylakis / astroggylakis@eurohoops.net
ABU DHABI – AS Monaco repelled Olympiacos and a season-high 31 points by Evan Fournier to clinch a berth in the championship game of the Final Four of the 2024-25 installment of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
“We were well prepared,” pointed out head coach Vassilis Spanoulis following the meeting with his former team in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Friday, “Our guys went over 100% to execute the gameplan. They showed a lot of heart and were focused. They were ready mentally.”
“We secured this win against a team that is not just an opponent. Olympiacos is like my family. I have talked many times about my feelings,” added the three-time EuroLeague champion as a player, “A huge win for Monaco. We continue. We have one more game.”
Spanoulis also talked about negative projections about La Roca Team, leading into the championship-crowning tournament.
“We do not worry about outside expectations. I played basketball because of people disapproving of me. Criticism is always welcome. All those people judging me made my career. They made me strong mentally,” he said, “I told my players to use criticism as motivation.”
He also praised a team effort to limit Fournier and Sasha Vezenkov.
“The point is how to contain players like Fournier. I think we made it difficult for him. Excellent players, him and Sasha,” he explained, “You can not stop him. At some point, he was feeling it. We played brilliant defense on both.”
On Sunday, Monaco faces Fenerbahce Beko, looking to combine the first Final with the first title in team history.
“A different team. A different game. We must forget this game, empty our minds, and focus starting tomorrow morning. We have a lot of work to do with the coaches,” mentioned Spanoulis.