After the defeat against Canada, Vassilis Spanoulis wanted to be positive and assured that the Greece was going to ” qualify for the next round ” given the reaction of his men in the second half.
Two days later, the Greek coach maintains the same state of mind and continues to think that his country will reach the quarter-finals, while they will now have to face Spain and then Australia.
Besides, before challenging the Red This Tuesday, Vassilis Spanoulis has already targeted the Spanish player who will have to be contained as best he can…
” Lorenzo Brown is a key player in Spain's game and [Sergio] Llull has many responsibilities » he judges thus, while the Australians had managed to control the naturalized leader at the opening of the Olympic Games (7 points and 3/10 shooting, with 7 lost balls). There are other good players in attack, like Willy Hernangomez or Santi Aldama, and Spain are a very good team, but Lorenzo Brown is definitely one of their leaders.. »
A European team
On the side of Giannoulis Larentzakiswe are also optimistic before the match against Spain, relying, again, on Greece's proud reaction in the second half against Canada.
” Spain is a completely different team [du Canada]she plays a European style of basketball, like ours, and I think we have a good chance of winning. ” concedes the Olympiakos player. ” I think we have to play Spain by putting pressure on them and a lot of contact, playing with intensity in defense to find spaces on the counterattack and go for the offensive rebound.. »
” Defense “, ” determination “ and especially ” conviction ” are the words most often used in the speeches of Vassilis Spanoulis and Giannoulis Larentzakis before a potentially decisive meeting between Greeks and Spaniards.
” We know what we have to do to get out of this » slips Giannoulis Larentzakis. “ These competitions are special and you can qualify or be eliminated by one point. Every phase counts and we are focused on this very important match against Spain. All the matches are like finals and we take them seriously. Every match, every possession, every point counts.. »
Photo credit: FIBA.com
