Aris-Gran Canaria: Return to Europe after five years against the EuroCup champions

The big time for him Ari Media arrived! Thessalonians, after five whole yearsare returning to the European competitions, where they always belong!

The “yellows” host tonight (04/10, 20:00, Novasports Prime) the Gran Canaria in the packed “Alexandrio”, at the premiere of the first phase of this year EuroCup.

Despite the fact that against him he will find a strong team that won the competition last year, however, in the ranks of Aris there is excitement and impatience for today’s match, wanting everyone in the team’s “camp” to celebrate the pink match sheet with their audience, on their return to the European “living rooms”.

Tonight’s game is essentially the official start of the new season for the Thessalonians, who will have for the third consecutive year on their bench the Yannis Kastritis. The administration together with the 41-year-old technician proceeded with a total facelift in the roster, since only Toliopoulos, Sanogo and Fillios remained from last year’s team. The moves made this summer show – at least on paper – says was significantly strengthened in all positions, wanting in this way to present a good and competitive face in Greece and Europe.



“It is the official start of the season for us, tomorrow we are invited to face Gran Canaria, the holder of the trophy of the competition. It is a team that has been stable over time and has good European runs. His start in Spain doesn’t say much for us. From our side we have to look at ourselves, our team, be as ready as possible and let the thirst and energy we have come out on the field to claim victory”. coach Kastritis said at the club’s Media Day.

On the other hand, the Spaniards traveled to Thessaloniki having as “dowry” the title they acquired last year against Turk Telecom, in the final of the tournament. A success which, however, proved to be… unaffordable for the club of the Canary Islands, since, due to financial issues, declared a handicap and waived his rights to participate in the Euroleague. In this year’s ACB, Jaka Lakovic’s team has just one win in the first three matches, showing that at this point in the year, the defense is their Achilles’ heel.

“We are facing a new team in the tournament, but one that is historic for European basketball. It will be a match of particularly high demands because of the quality they have and the atmosphere that the fans of Aris will create. We have the ambition and desire to start the event on the right foot. We have to give 100% effort and focus to keep improving as a team”said Lakovich.

At the competitive end, except for Aris, it is Manny Bates, who suffered a labral cartilage tear in a pre-season friendly in the middle of last month. For Gran Canaria, he did not travel with the rest of the expedition Ethan Happdue to discomfort in the waist.