Spanoulis bids farewell to national team; Bourousis and Zisis also call it a day for Greece

LILLE (EuroBasket 2015) - A 97-90 victory against Latvia on Thursday marked the end of Greece's involvement in EuroBasket 2015 - and with it, the outstanding international career of Vassilis Spanoulis.

The 33-year-old declared after the win, during which he scored 16 points, that it would be his final game for his national team.

The point guard brings down the curtain on a 15-year run representing his country, which began with the European Championship for Junior Men in 2000 and ends with his country securing a place at the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

His announcement was followed by the news that team-mates Yannis Bourousis and Nikos Zisis would also not suit up for Greece again.

Spanoulis competed at EuroBasket five times, winning the title in 2005 as one of the younger members of the team before leading his country to a third place in 2009 and earning All-Star Five honours.

He also helped the Greeks to a runners-up finish at the 2006 Basketball World Cup and bows out of the international picture as one of his country's all-time greats.

But above all his achievements, it was perhaps his ability to produce his greatest plays in the biggest moments that set him apart, a reputation only enhanced by his performances on the way to three Euroleague titles and MVP awards.

It has been a career with happy moments, sad moments but also full of success. - Spanoulis

"The time has come to stop with the national team. The cycle has closed," Spanoulis told Greek TV station ANT1.

"I am really emotional right now. I grew up on the national team since I was 17 and I played for the flag all these years.

"We brought back home three medals during my time and I am proud for what we have achieved.

"The time has come to call it a day and for the young guys to play in the next years. They have the talent and the quality."

Greece coach Fotis Katsikaris led the tributes for his departing star after revealing that he had not expected the decision, and admitting that it was a tough for the team to take.

"Very, very, very difficult moment in the locker room when Vassilis announced that he retired from the national team," he said.

"I believe he is one of the players that changed Greek basketball, changed the way that many see it and it was a very difficult moment.

"History will remember him, when he wants to retire from his [club] team, as one of the biggest players ever to play in Europe."

Team-mate Evangelos Mantzaris considered himself privileged to have lined up alongside Spanoulis and feels the onus is now on the next generation to try and continue to drive the national team forward.

"I'm really happy and very proud that we were able to play in the same national team with Vassilis.

"It's been an honour for us and we hope to have the same success as him. I doubt that will happen without him, but that's it."

Nikos Zisis, Yannis Bourousis and Vasilis Spanoulis (GRE)

EuroBasket 2015 was a sixth consecutive Final Round appearance for center Bourousis, who too has shone at club level, while captain Zisis opted to call time on his international career at the end of a 17th consecutive international tournament.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for complete coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA