Kastritis: “We were competitive against a higher level team”

Yiannis Kastritis emphasized that Aris failed to be competitive against Gran Canaria in the second half, referred to the program of the second group of the Eurocup, asking them to be competitive in all matches and referred separately to Bankston and Stark.

Analytically: “The opponent was at a better level than us today, for a part of the first half we tried to be competitive, which, however, in the second half did not happen. I believe that Gran Canaria deservedly won. We have to stay humble, keep working hard and prepare for what’s next.”

About the schedule the team had in the EuroCup: “We had a very difficult schedule in the first round. From now on, after the second round we have five home games. Obviously, every game counts, but if we want to talk about the next phase of the competition we have to be competitive at home and try to win games.

But I think it’s a very competitive group, unfortunately we have to deal with a lot of injuries. We hope for the best, but the most realistic thing we can do is work hard every day and take each game individually.”

On Bankston’s performance and the fouls he committed in tonight’s game: “We’re a team where on one player’s difficult nights there’s someone else who’s there for them to fill in for them. From then on, specifically for Bankston, let’s not forget that he also has no experience in Europe, he had played a game in Israel before coming to Aris. He learns the EuroCup, learns how to play in Greece, but also in Europe in general.

Today he entered the field in a good mood, he was charged with some fouls, perhaps because of the excessive intensity he wanted to put on. Each game is a lesson for the team as a whole, but also for the children themselves. Don’t forget that the level is high. It’s not easy for anyone to come and play on this pitch against unbeaten Gran Canaria.”

On Stark: “We’ve been away from home since Saturday and will be back early Friday, Stark has landed after the difficulties he faced in Germany due to the weather. He’s going through the necessary tests, we have to come back too, get back on the field together as a team and, from there on, we’ll assess the situation.”