‘Spanoulis wants to bring the National Team back to where it deserves, we want a medal’

EuroBasket 2025 window time for the Greek National Team, which will face Great Britain away (11/21, 21:30) and at home (11/24, 18:30).

Dimitris Moraitis is included in the calls of Vassilis Spanoulis and spoke to SPORT24 for the blue and white, the goals, but also his collaboration with the great figure of Greek basketball, who sits on the edge of the bench.

The National Team is above everyone and everything

Understandably, time for rest does not exist for international athletes, something that does not cross his mind at all…

“We don’t think about it like that at all. We don’t have fatigue on our minds. The national team is above everyone and everything. We are all very happy to be here. We have a very good mood, very good chemistry between us. For sure that it is played in Greece it’s something that lifts us all up, we’re looking forward more, especially to see a full stadium, for people to come and support us, it’s very important for us and we’re looking forward to the matches”.

The national team is a family

Whichever players are called up, be it the most experienced or the young and promising, the chemistry remains unchanged, as does the thirst for distinction…

“Of course it is important and this comes from the fact that we know all the children together and that counts for a lot, but whoever comes, whoever is absent, we are a team. As coach Spanoulis has said, the national team is a family, it is above from everyone and he has helped us a lot to see differently. He wants to bring the people back to the stadium, he wants to bring the national team back to where it deserves to be and I believe we will succeed.”

Dimitris Moraitis is not collaborating with Vassilis Spanoulis for the first time, as the two had also coexisted in Peristeri, with the 25-year-old guard getting a lot from the Greek coach…

“It is very important, he played the same position as me, I was lucky to have him as a coach in Peristeri. I learned a lot from him and he helped me a lot. Now with the National Team he has a special philosophy, a special way of thinking. He is a very good coach, We all know that. He passes his philosophy on to us every day and he succeeds and we all hold him in high esteem.”

As for whether he has any specific instructions from Spanoulis…

“I have a lot left. Now the most important thing, which everyone knows is that no matter how much work you put in, you can always do something more. That is, even if you work 5 hours, you have to work 6. Work is more than everything and to work as much as I can”.

The thirst is great, we want a medal

The will and effort of the Greek internationals for a medal is great and such a distinction is true that has been missing from Greek basketball in recent years. Sometimes it’s a matter of luck, but the thirst remains the same…

“Certainly the thirst is great. All of us who are here are thirsty, we want to do well, we want a medal. Now how difficult is this and how easy will it prove on the course. Like you said it also takes luck. But it seems we want it very much and it is from the basic pieces to start something good”.

Greece has two games ahead of it against Great Britain and Moraitis commented on the upcoming matches…

“They are definitely very difficult games, we have 2-3 days to work. We want to show a very good face. To do everything we do in training on the floor, in the matches and to win both matches. As for Thessaloniki, we are waiting for people on the field to support us and help us and achieve a beautiful victory together”.

The national team will be based in Thessaloniki in the match against Great Britain and the 25-year-old regional player is waiting for the support of the world…

“It definitely helps, it’s also very beautiful for the world, because a lot of people can’t come and go. To go to different places, to see different people who support us and to receive this love of the world, which helps us a lot.”