By Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
Makis Aggelopoulos talked to Eurohoops about AEK’s participation in the 2019 FIBA Intercontinental Cup mentioning: “It’s joy and honor for AEK to represent both Greece and Europe in the Intercontinental Cup” and added: “Our happiness is double because AEK will play at another continent at such a high level for the first time. Our participation is this top tournament seals all the efforts we have made the past years”.
The Queen’s owner went on AEK’s effort to establish itself among the top teams in the world as a part of FIBA’s family: “I consider it a big success for Greek basketball, for Greek players and for Greece generally. It’s important that AEK is now part of a global basketball alliance in which all neighbors are equal, a family with different views and cultures. Not so long ago, the movie 1968 allowed AEK to travel from Greece to all around the world and make us proud. This time, following the European Championship of last May, the same team is going abroad”.
“Based on our success in 2018 we continue to build. We invest in our junior teams, our academy, the players who will be part of our team in the future. Our priority is still to move one step forward every year” he said and pointed out: “In a span of 12 months, we have won two titles and we will go on”.
AEK’s owner explained: “We are on top. It surely wasn’t easy to get here, but we all know that the hardest part is to remain on top. We worked for everything we achieved so far. There was a plan. Of course, luck also maintains its part. Remaining on top is the aftermath of setting up your plans and working on them.
AEK’s goal is to remain on the tops, to retain its spot among the top clubs of world basketball and to furthermore strengthen the team’s brand. Competition is rising. We are on everybody’s radar. AEK offers a motive to all of its opponents. We have to fortify the team and try to do so every day”.
Aggelopoulos is in Brazil to support the Basketball Champions League title holders in their quest for Intercontinental Cup glory. The chance is there for him to discuss matters on basketball in Europe and in the world with FIBA executives.