By Stefanos Tatsios, Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
AEK boss Makis Aggelopoulos was present in the panel upon the announcement of the host city for the Basketball Champions League Final Eight Tournament, and he revealed that the team’s organization is ready to accommodate fans with tickets in case of crowd attendance is approved by the Greek government.
“We have submitted hundreds of pages for the safe organization of the games. Once the Prime Minister gives us the green light, we will be ready to prepare the tickets in 24 hours. We should have the final picture by September 18. There will be complete identification of each person. In the event of a positive case, we will be able to track those around him. We share the cost [of the organization] proportionally”, stated Aggelopoulos.
He then referred to the importance of BCL’s decision to resume action in Athens, and how he expects the Final Eight tournament to roll for AEK.
“I consider it an important day for European basketball and our country. We have the start of activity in the sport after a long pause due to the pandemic and FIBA deserves credit for wanting to complete the event, which is important for its credibility”, he said. BCL plans to adopt NBA’s model, by creating its own bubble to safeguard public health and the wellbeing of the players, as CEO Patrick Comninos stated in the press conference.
“It is also important for our country that we have been considered as the safest place for the tournament. Let me remind you that this is the first event that takes place after February. It will be a difficult tournament, the teams are strong and strengthened and we will fight to bring the third international title to Greece”, added Aggelopoulos.