Flionis on sport-fm.gr: “We are humble, we are on the ground and we continue step by step”

The qualification to the next round of the Basketball Champions League was secured from Wednesday night (23/11) by AEK Betsson BCafter the home victory over Poland Szczecin (86-64) for the 4th matchday of the group stage of the competition.

In fact, having the absolute number of victories in these first turns of the institution, the “Union” is close to occupying the first place and the direct qualification to the 16 best teams of the BCL.

The leader of the “yellow and black”, Dimitris Flionis, talk to sport-fm.gr and Loukas Hatzis for the excellent start of the team in the event, the chemistry which is “built” within the… walls of the club despite the fact that it is made up of newly arrived players, while at the same time he also referred to the philosophy and in the Spanish model that the Spanish technician has brought with him to Ano Liosia, Joan Platha.

Dimitris Flionis stated in detail:



On the importance of the victory over Szczecin: “We are unbeaten in the BCL, it is very important that we did the ‘4 in 4’. We played a very good defense, while in the second half we also found a rhythm in the attack. The team is starting to bond and make a very nice image on the court.”

On AEK’s outburst in the second half that decided the match: “Our pace remained stable. In other words, the way we play with a lot of energy and a lot of speed. Once we found a rhythm in scoring and attacking, combined with the fatigue of the opponents who were not used to this tempo, that’s where I think was the pivotal point.”

For the team’s goals in the BCL: “Let’s go slowly. We still have two games to lock up first place and avoid the play-ins. We are humble, we step on the ground and we continue step by step”.

On his role as captain and the chemistry between the players: “We have found a very good chemistry both on and off the court. It is very important the characters of all the children and how we fit together. We all take a step to find ourselves as characters in the group as a whole. I think it’s a total collective effort and that’s a team thing, the credits go to everyone individually, the coaches and the people who chose these characters.”

On Joan Plata’s philosophy in the group: “His philosophy is starting to rub off on the team and you can see our improvement from week to week. It looks like the basketball he wants us to play. I think the team is moving in the right direction, as can be seen from the results, and we will continue to do what the coach asks of us to improve and keep winning.”