GRE - Spanoulis concentrating on FIBA World Champs

ATHENS (FIBA World Championship) - Vasilis Spanoulis insists his dream move to the NBA is the furthest thing from his mind as he prepares for Greece`s assault on the FIBA World Championship.

The 23-year-old guard signed a three-year deal with the Houston Rockets last week but wants to add a world title to his CV before he arrives in Texas.

"I haven't thought about going to the NBA yet," he said.

"At this time, I am with the national team and I am thinking of nothing else. We go to Japan as champions of Europe and we will give our best to do what we can.

"Our objective is the world title."

Greece warmed up for the August 19 tip-off in style, with a 70-56 over France winning them their own Acropolis Tournament in Athens.

It was a repeat of their dramatic EuroBasket 2005 semi-final victory over the French and led France star Tony Parker to name them among the favourites for the World Championship.

But Spanoulis` team-mates Michalis Kakiouzis and Nikos Zisis are playing down the significance of their third successive win against the French.

Kakiouzis said: "It's not important to win or lose a warm-up tournament at this stage. These games are friendlies. What is important is to improve our overall play."

Benetton Treviso guard Zisis believes there will be more work to do as the squad continue their preparations in China.

"The tournament was one big test with three good games," he said. "We still have room for improvement. Now we have a few days' rest and then it's back to work again."

Coach Panagiotis Yannakis will cut one more player from his squad before the China trip, having already trimmed the party to 15 with the axing of center Yannis Bourousis.

His final squad must be further amended to 12 players.

Greece are in Group C at the World Championship with Australia, Lithuania, Turkey, Brazil and Qatar.

PA Sport