Photo: FIBA

Fresh off winning bronze at EuroBasket 2025, Greece is looking ahead with a clear plan: to continue building around head coach Vassilis Spanoulis and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Speaking to Greek public television, Hellenic Basketball Federation president Vangelis Liolios underlined that both figures remain central to the national team’s future.

“Giannis, as long as he is healthy, will make himself available for the national team. Always, meaning always,” Liolios stated, making clear that the two-time NBA MVP is committed to playing whenever possible.

He also emphasized that the federation’s goal is to keep Spanoulis in charge, though some details still need to be ironed out. “We want him to stay,” Liolios said of the 43-year-old coach.

“Some issues must be resolved. In every case, no matter the situation, some issues are always there.”

For Liolios, Spanoulis’ connection to the national team runs deeper than contracts.

“What is important is that both sides want to extend the collaboration. I think Vassilis is a person, a coach, a former player, who is linked to the national team. I always said that Greece and the national team flow through his veins.

“On the other hand, he is a professional coach, with various obligations, and we must see how these can fit for everyone’s benefit.”

The immediate challenge for Greece will be the start of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The team begins with a home game against Romania on November 27 in Athens, followed by a trip to Portugal on November 30.

Montenegro rounds out the four-team group, which will send three teams into the next round.

“If we reach an agreement and if it is possible for the best of the national team, he will coach,” Liolios said regarding Spanoulis’ role in the upcoming qualifiers.

At the club level, Spanoulis remains focused on his duties with AS Monaco, preparing for EuroLeague battles and the French domestic season.

The scheduling could prove tricky: Monaco hosts Anadolu Efes on November 26, just one day before Greece’s qualifier against Romania, and will play Paris on December 4.

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