Giannis & Spanoulis Get Emotional After Ending 16 Year Olympic Draught

Greece makes a comeback to the Olympic games after 16 years while beating Croatia in the FIBA Olympic Qualifier final 69-80. The last time Greece was in the Olympic games, Spanoulis was leading the team as a player, and now he does it as the team's head coach.
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Can Greece go far in the Olympics?🤔Let us know your opinion in the comments below! ✍ If you enjoyed the video, help us grow by hitting the like button & subscribing to our channel! Lastly, follow us on social media for more content: Twitter: twitter.com/basketnews_com/ Instagram: instagram.com/basketnews/ Inquiries for partnership: [e-mail]

[@user-fr9gs8yd8h]

Hope so 🇬🇷💪💪

[@arvidchristiansen3105]

Hope so. 😊

[@user-ok1ck7yb7i]

HELLAS 🇬🇷🇬🇷

[@Michalis_Sideratos]

Giannis said it best in his press conference after the game. The difference between Coach Spanoulis and coaches before him is that he inspires winner mentality. As a player was a winner and as a coach they see him giving everything he's got. They give all they got because they look up to that guy and respect him the most. Vasilis is the first guy after Giannakis who inspired his team to respect the jersey again. It is gonna be a tough group, the toughest one, but you never know. As Gallis said in 1987 "It;s our greatest victory until the next one".

[@mjtejero]

although that's the problem, when the team wins it is easy to praise the coach, but when they lose, coach gets to be blamed first rather than the players.

[@kostasoly9318]

Giannis wanted this so much🇬🇷

[@kostasoly9318]

Galis,Giannakis,Spanoulis,Diamantidis and Giannis are our Legends🇬🇷

[@gysahlfields7506]

Papaloukas with them, and Fotsis, Zisis, and Calathes next to them.

[@gysahlfields7506]

@@kostasoly9318 You didn't say Top5..... If you had said it, you would be correct, as Papaloukas is 6th or 7th, but you didn't, so you are wrong. All time list: 1) Giannis 2) Diamantidis 3) Spanoulis 4) Galis 5) Giannakis 6) Papaloukas 7) Calathes (will surpass Papaloukas if he gets a Medal in the Olympics) 8) Fotsis 9) Zisis 10th Spot is too open to too many people to put a name to it. Probably Sloukas. Or Bourousis. These are the Top 11 though.

[@kostasoly9318]

@@gysahlfields7506 Galis 4rth?hahaha ok you are 15 probably...cant continue with you...

[@xdx2653]

@@kostasoly9318 when you said top5 ?????with caps too?? kopse tin malakia tha se kopsei

[@gysahlfields7506]

@@kostasoly9318 I am 40. Yes, 4th. He was an amazing individual that inspired a generation. BUT, he NEVER won any big competition (EuroBasket, Mundobasket, Olympic Medals, EuroLeague) outside the EuroBasket 1987 and he never made it to the biggest stage despite wanting to (NBA). He was not as big a winner as the ones I mentioned. Amazing individual performer though, and probably the best European Scorer of all time. Maybe by far too. He also ended his career in a disgraceful manner with Panathinaikos. And he also have given ZERO to Basketball after his retirement. The others are bigger. Keep projecting your insecurities. This is not the hive mind you want it to be. And you did NOT say Top5. Keep losing.

[@user-ze2yf2jl6k]

Let's go Greece!!! We are so proud of you guys!!!

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

Congrats Greece 🇬🇷

[@Thousandeyes85]

Great to have Greece back at the Olympics for basketball. Rooting for y'all to medal ( just not at USA expense)

[@Gehinomlezvuvim]

😂

[@Gehinomlezvuvim]

See you in the finals then

[@tomevers6670]

They can’t beat USA.

[@tsops22]

Incredible team, great basketball chemistry between these guys. So looking forward to seeing them jam the courts of Paris

[@ionker524]

Spanoulis sets the example. He put Giannis back in the game for the last minute, while Greece was 10 points ahead. This is the mentality of focusing until the end. Never let the opponents believe that they can do a come back like the ones that Vasilis used to do as a player. Great to see the legendary greek national team back in the game!

[@ikamak]

As a basketball coach I'll point out something that (most) other coaches already know. When your offense runs this way - everyone touches the ball and every player has the freedom to shoot or attack the basket - your players are most likely to give their best on the other part (defensive end). On the other hand when your offense is stagnant and you expect 1 or 2 players to score, the remaining players lose interest and might not contribute to the defensive part as much. In my opinion that is what coach Spanoulis has contributed the most to our team (from a clear basketball perspective, not taking into consideration inspiration, leadership, respect to his name etc).

[@titoskesar2133]

VSpan will make history as a coach. Somebody once asked the other great Greek players of that era who would they prefer to go out and have fun with among all players and they all said anyone but Spanoulis because Spanoulis always talks about Basketball..😂😂 The guy is obsessed with bball he just loves the game more than anyone else

[@ahmet_iron]

I will be rooting hard for our neighbour in the olympics, let's go Hellas !! We missed a good Greek team in tournaments... This is a great team !! Love and respect from Turkey

[@Gehinomlezvuvim]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@titoskesar2133]

thanx bro im rooting for Sengun too i love his game you will build a great team around him great future ✌

[@theoneeditor399]

It was a pretty good game. Croatia played great as well , they were worthy opponents. But at long last...PARIS HERE WE COME

[@DonQuixoteSosa]

Giannis has done Greece and all Greeks proud. As a Greek American I am proud to have him represent both countries! 🇺🇸 🇬🇷

[@panosg.9689]

very nice basketball,getting advantage the "Giannis defence" to open the play and kill them from 3 point line...best team advances...WE ARE COMING TO THE OLYMPICS...GREAT JOB!!!!!

[@MrWowtanking]

It's gonna be hard getting through the group phase. You got Spain who is one of the top in the world, Canada who is an all NBA team and Australia has proven that they are not pushovers. In the other groups i can predict the outcome. B group is gonna be France,Germany. C group is gonna be Serbia and USA. In Greece's group (A) all the teams are really close to each other. Luck is gonna play a big part.

[@gabepizza]

you know in 2 of the 3 groups a 3rd team will qualify?

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

​@@gabepizza that's unnecessary like in football Euros. They do all the fuss in 2 groups to eliminate only 1 nation of 4

[@MrWowtanking]

@@gabepizza Yes i do know that. But that's even harder to predict. And it is circumstantial, meaning luck will play an even bigger role.

[@user-xd5zq8gg4f]

Olympic champions🔜🔜

[@gemball8343]

Damn, LeBron in the thumbnail

[@laffo1980]

Drought is spelt d r o u g h t

[@ApollonasKalamarias]

à tout à l'heure

[@summernerd2461]

13 year olympic drought. Three first years 2008-2011 are drought anyway

[@xabialonso5785]

This is going to be a GOOD tournament. So many quality teams. Shame we won’t see Slovenia, Croatia and Argentina compete

[@kolak0303]

They have to give vspan the keys for the next 10 year in greece national

[@Bluecoala77]

Underdogs in most games. But they will give a good fight because of experienced players that all play in the euroleague for years.

[@dj8902]

Gianoulis larentzakis will dominate lebron james at olympics , greek 🐍🐍🐍

[@user-lh4we5qt2j]

Sign some guys to the bucks we need them

[@stri2003]

A tout aller.....

[@Metalovichinkov]

That tournament was ruthless, was it the hardest of all qualifier?

[@xabialonso5785]

How has Greece not qualified in 16 years????

[@panoskakkavas4022]

2012 ; Lost Olympic qualifier quarterfinal against Nigeria ( the most embarrassing defeat too , 79 - 80 in a tournament where 3 teams could qualify , the 2 semis winners and the 3rd placed team ) . 2015 ; Lost Olympic qualifier semifinal against Croatia 61 - 66 ( so this piece of victory was a bit of vengeance ) . 2020 ; Lost Olympic qualifier final against Czechia 97 - 72 ( to be fair though , the Czechs had eliminated Canada in the semis in a tournament staged in Alberta ) . And this is the story in general . But we will be in Paris amigo and it will be a wild ride !!

[@methematics.]

what happened to lithuania ????

[@GiogosOfficialTM]

They got disqualified by Puerto 🇵🇷

[@jumphouseman9348]

Calathes still ballin’?

[@alx_gr1]

Yep. And he's better than ever!

[@Goxilla]

Too bad only 12 teams are allowed to play in the Olympics. I think 16 would be better. Croatia, Slovenia, Latvia or Lithuania are all better teams than Brazil, South Sudan, Puerto Rico or Japan. I understand that it´s meant to be about teams from all parts of the world competing against each other but it should be the best of the best in my opinion

[@georgemarco11]

spain.. europe champs!!, canada... no comment!! so.. it's a final with australia, and we will need goal average too so we can advance, from the hardest group... chill guys greece plays nice at this stage but there's a chance they don't make it any further. we just beat croatia at home.. stop talking about medals. better not set any goals at all right now. the group we're is a very good test, so see how we play in that competition first and then... we can make some calculations. but with teams like usa, canada, france, serbia we'd better not mention medals. i like the excitement but better be down to earth, i liked how we played too but when did we became a superteam material..?

[@staffaronifilms]

I think it's *drought big bruh

[@0xdef]

How is it 16yrs draught when Olympics are held every 4 yrs?

[@xgab1628]

They didnt qualify

[@alx_gr1]

Greece didn't qualify in the previous 4 Olympics..so 16 years draught.

[@ApollonasKalamarias]

4 x 4 = ....

[@0xdef]

@@ApollonasKalamarias lol so when do the play for qualifying? Every year for the next olympics? Your argument is false.

[@0xdef]

@@xgab1628 yes they did not. For example. for the olympics in 2016 they did not play from 2012 to 2016 and you count 4 years of not qualifying.

[@___Anakin.Skywalker]

Only Gilas Pilipinas can defeat full force Greece

[@jda333]

lol 16 years

[@bilogskii2216]

I don't follow Euro basketball, didn't know Spanoulis is still active.

[@gate7fan]

He is coach

[@georgefecomics98]

He's the team's coach

[@bilogskii2216]

@@gate7fan Oh okay, I thought he's still active and was just on the bench.

[@kambge]

Itoudis was a great coach

[@oiko2k4]

Indeed, but national teams don't have the time to prepare complex tactics, as Itoudis would need. So mentality plays a crucial role in those tournaments.

[@diong.2026]

gold and silver metals for USA and France. Third place for Canada, Serbia, Greece or Germany

[@ApollonasKalamarias]

Agreed. Except if US and France cross paths at the semifinals (I don't know how the format plays out and if this matchup is possible prior to the gold medal game if we take as given that both US and France will finish top of their respective groups)

[@john-sketo]

Greece will go for gold.I think its our time

[@gabepizza]

Serbia is better than France. France got 17 in the WC and added Wemby, Serbia got 2nd in the World Cup and added Jokic

[@Panos_Stayis]

​@@john-sketo what is "France"?

[@john-sketo]

@@Panos_Stayis mediocre team

[@oreoakalaperoji8314]

Then proceeds to take shots at Embiid like Greece wanted him and his parent. He forgets they only gave him that citizenship cause he made it to the league.

[@ApollonasKalamarias]

I missed the shots taken at Embiid. Can you elaborate? As for whether Greece wants immigrants in general it's not a yes or no case. Let's see this case though. Father came to Greece legally on a professional sports visa (football player who later got injured). Brought over his wife and then overstayed their visa. Being without valid papers they lived and worked in Greece doing odd jobs. Despite having no papers they received free healthcare by Greek NHS (all kids except their first one, starting with Thanasis, were born in Greek public hospitals) and all kids went to Greek public schools. The same goes for all undocumented immigrants. They had the choice at any point to apply for Nigerian citizenship for their kids but they opted to continue pursuing Greek citizenship. At age 17 Giannis and Thanasis were awarded Greek citizenship because yes, the Basketball Federation pushed the issue, and the Federation people are well connected. But this happened before Giannis made it to the NBA. They wanted Giannis to be eligible to play with the Greek youth U19 team. This expedited citizenship process, for sure, but eventually almost all immigrant kids born in Greece get citizenship, as long as they remain in Greece. So I'd say that Greek Government's stance towards immigrants is one of indifferent tolerance through bureaucratic procrastination. Dragging out the citizenship process while providing only the basic rights. In other words Greek Government treats poor immigrants just as they treat poor Greeks. The only difference is that poor Greeks can apply earlier for a passport to travel abroad, which they rarely do as they can;t afford to travel unless they want themselves to migrate. In Greece, like everywhere else in this world, the first and foremost racism is against poor people. In any case, patriotism has nothing to do with how the Government treat you or what others say or feel about you or the colour of your skin or how well you are doing in life or if you make money or any of that. Patriotism is a very simple thing. Do you love and care for the society, the place, the people and the culture you grew up with and you are living in? If yes, then that's it, and it ain't mean a thing how the Government and others treat you. Patriotism is a very personal thing. You feel it. You decide it. Not others. The Antetokounmpos I'm sure they love their heritage and their country of origin, and at the same time they are also Greek patriots. Just like people of Greek heritage in the U.S. or in Australia, they are fiercely and openly proud of their Greek heritage but they are also 100% American, or Australian etc. citizens and patriots. So spread love and respect, not bitterness and shade.

[@romanreigns5926]

We will go to France for croissants, we don't stand a chance without great Kostas sloukas

[@Adagio07]

kanei botox de prolavenei

[@ApollonasKalamarias]

Κρουασάν; Κρουασάν. Ό,τι καταφέρουν τα παιδιά. Αλλά την ιστορία την γράφουν οι παρόντες. Οι κομπλεξικοί γράφουν πικρόχολα σχόλια στα σόσιαλ μύδια.

[@romanreigns5926]

@@Adagio07 θα προλάβει να σε πηδηξει και του χρόνου🤣🤣

[@RelaxingD]

they gonna lose all 3 games at the Olympics anyway..Giannis sucks in Fiba

[@skittlezz5727]

You never know... kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZjZnoOneKmDhsk&ab_channel=FIBA-TheBasketballChannel

[@BluesFunkHouseJunkie23]

Scared allready?

[@thanasistagaras3256]

In the last tournament he joined was top scorer.Ignorant.Young Giannis sucked. Not Prime Giannis

[@user-oc5cd1eb6z]

@@thanasistagaras3256 και τώρα γτπ είναι μάστορα, μην είσαι φανμπόι. Για χτίστης καλός είναι, χωρίς σούτ και τρίποντο δεν κάνεις καριέρα στην Ευρώπη.

[@Panos835]

@@user-oc5cd1eb6z για να το λες εσυ με τις τοσες διακρισεις και τοσα χρονια εμπειριας στο μπασκετμπολ, κατι ξερεις! τοσοι σκαουτερ και προπονητες ειναι παντελως αχρηστοι, εχεις δικιο

[@Saki-K.]

If Sloukas joins the team Greece could make it to the knockout phase.Congrats to Croatia, they have some great players and gave us a hard time...