Katsivelis: “AEK’s primary goal is the very good run in BCL – the only way is the job”

AEK started with a away win over Riga its obligations in this year’s Basketball Champions League, with the Dimitris Katsiveli As one of its most valuable players!

The Union’s international guard spoke to the EEC Web Radio, stressing that the goal is a very good European course this year as well, and stood that he and his teammates still have a lot of work ahead of them to present themselves as they want.

In detail what he said:



“It was very important for us to start organizing with a victory. It may not have been accompanied by such a good appearance, especially in the 2nd half, but we went into the match and through the defense we basically “cleaned” it a bit from the beginning. We got the difference, we were serious when Riga counterattacked in the 2nd half and got the win. “.

For AEK’s defensive image in the game: “Overall basketball has changed in recent years, it has become much more aggressive than it has been in the past. However, when you are in a team that starts with the defense, you can claim the victory in your bad day and be in the games. Obviously Riga is a very good team. No, of course, at the Euroleague level, but it has some very good players for whom we had a plan to be able to limit them and stop them. This plan worked very well from the beginning of the race and essentially led us to this somewhat easy victory. “.

For his feelings he returned to the stadium where he won the bronze medal a few weeks ago with the Men’s National: “I certainly came to me very beautiful emotions and memories. By entering the court it was like I was there again. I felt something very beautiful. It will really remain “engraved” in my memory ».

For the target at BCL: “It is very important to start the year with wins, in Greece and Europe. It’s still early, we haven’t even reached the level we want to be as a team. However, if you manage to get wins and when you are not at the right level, it means that you are doing something well and you have a very big room in front of you to improve. AEK arrived at BCL’s Final-4 last year and definitely wants to go again. It is a team that is in all BCL seasons and is the primary goal the very good run there ».

For the team’s readiness level: “No team is ready in early October, it is relatively impossible to do. What counts is to learn to win. Wins can hide weaknesses if you manage them differently, but they can also “build” character, chemistry, make a team that learns to live through them. This is the right road. We certainly have a lot of work ahead of us, the season has just begun. We want to show our best in this season, but it is impossible to do it now. The only way is the job ».

As to whether the defense is the ‘identity’ of the group: “Obviously Coaching Staff makes a great preparation for this piece. Through the training and meetings we have for the videos, we always try to see how to make opponents virtually feel … uncomfortable, because talent is now everywhere and it is a given. The coaches give the players more freedom to play based on their talent. When you face such players, you see the individual characteristics of each player, you see what is the uncomfortable point in his game and push him to do things that get him out of his comfort zone. Here in the team we give a huge basis to this and we play players to translate these instructions to the pitch ».

For Sunday’s (12/10) championship game with Panionios, which is behind closed doors: “It’s always a weird feeling to play without fans. Especially when you play at home you want to be on a full stadium with people helping you. Nevertheless, it is a very important match for us for the continuation of the championship. Even without our world we want to go and fight for victory ».