He returned after a year’s absence and from day-one it was more than apparent that he came back a much improved player, finishing up the season as first scorer for Panathinaikos and as the best passer of the championship, earning a position in the top 5 players team of last year’s championship. Vassilis Spanoulis stepped out of the 2007-08 season in the exact same manner he had after his first year with Panathinaikos: Two titles and a spot in the all-league best team. What he craves now is a Euroleague championship, a trophy that is missing from his personal achievements collection and which he knows can be concord only through long hours on the court and team work.
“It is only natural that we experience fatigue at this time of season… In the interval after the ending of the Olympic Games all the tiredness of the summer rose to the surface. When you switch off an engine that has been functioning strenuously and then you attempt to put it into motion again it is hard to get immediately the best out of it. We are, nevertheless, steadily finding our old rhythm and we acknowledge the fact that we have to work hard and do what is expected from us by our team, with our team. I have said it many times, playing basketball is a wonderful thing, we are blessed amongst people to have this opportunity and we proceed to doing it with great pleasure. Truth be said though, when the opportunity to rest presents itself, we make the most of it. Having the day off, on Saturday was a gift, because, especially for those of us who had obligations with their national teams, this summer has been quite a bumpy road”.
First impressions, first estimations already exist, concerning what Panathinaikos will present this year on court. “We have additions this year to the team that will offer us extra choices in offence and I believe that our current roster is one of the most powerful of the last few years. We know the team, any team, isn’t judged beforehand, but from its final results, so all we can do is wait and see!”
What should be expected from Panathinaikos this year? “We will certainly play faster but try to make fewer turnovers. It’s common logic for a fast team to make mistakes. Our goal is to reduce our mistakes in comparison with last season. We also are delighted to have players that can help out a lot in collecting rebounds. I believe that we have the full package as a team. There is a diversity of players, with great personalities and born winners, experienced, who know the road to success. What we must all do is submit to our coach’s wishes, in order to bind as a team and present ourselves as best as possible”.
Speaking of goals we conclude to a common ground for every player, every member of the Panathinaikos team: “What is there to be said? Panathinaikos begins aiming for three titles, Greek League, Greek Cup and Euroleague, the same ambitions as usual. Panathinaikos losing a trophy makes news. There is much pressure for all three titles, for positive results, but it is something that comes with being a part of great club. We are used to living under pressure; it makes us better players”.
“We need you by our side”
He continues referring to another very important piece of the team’s puzzle. The motto that he says in the season tickets campaigner, “we need you by our side”, is something he undertakes personally: “We hope for titles, we wish for success for us, but first and foremost we need it for our fans. We want them next to us. They give us extra strength. They create a spectacular atmosphere in the arena and they simply make us better!”
An epilogue with his personal achievement that typically concluded last year’s season and raised the curtain for the next, with the draw for the 2008-09 championship: “I would like to thank each and everyone who voted for me for this award. Moreover, what I would like to state is that this particular award doesn’t belong to me, as much it does to the entire team. In which all is commenced. It belongs and is due to correct engineering by its management, its coaches and of course thanks to all of my teammates”.
