The head coach of the “Queen,” Dragan Šakota, made the following statement:
“The basketball landscape is changing…
If we want to claim a place and a role in the next era, if we want to be part of the ‘elite,’ we need a change in mindset. We need a different culture.
I feel truly proud and grateful to all those supporters who consistently come to our games and show their appreciation in every way – both to me and to our players. We have lived through great moments together, but in a basketball world where ticket sales and the image of packed arenas are a key criterion, we cannot demand more than that. In any case, from a competitive standpoint too, having a full arena is an advantage. You play differently…
Is it possible that teams without our history, without our recent trophy-laden journey, and without having millions of supporters, manage to sell out every game?
The AEK brand fills arenas wherever we play in Europe, because our history and the value of our team are appreciated. In European arenas, very often our supporters are more numerous than at our home games. The same happens in away games in Greece as well, and it is impressive.
Of course, we thank the fans who support us everywhere, but what about our own arena? A full arena ‘puts wings on the players’ feet,’ enabling them to perform at 100% and win regardless of circumstances.
Did you know that for the game against Alba in Berlin, we may end up having more of our supporters than we will have this Wednesday at home, based on the data so far? We must show who we really are at the SUNEL Arena as well. Let’s make a new start on Wednesday. And let’s win together with our people. So that afterwards we can aim for even bigger things – both in Berlin and everywhere else…
We have played games behind closed doors due to sanctions, and that saddens us. But there are also some games where we have not been sanctioned and yet it feels like we are playing behind closed doors. It’s a shame. It disappoints us.
As a team and as an Organization, we have shown that we do everything possible to honor the jersey and our history, but the circumstances are now different.
It is not enough to fill the arena in quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. We must fill the arena always.
In May 2025, AEK supporters came to my home and surprised me, and I was moved – as I always am when I see that they appreciate what we do – and they asked me not to leave. They begged me to stay at AEK. It was something incredible. And that moment, you should know, shaped the decision I made afterwards.
Now it is my turn to ask: ‘Come to the arena!’
It is the only way to keep up with developments. It is the only way to convince those who run global and European basketball that we are here.
I will say it again… We thank all our supporters who come to our arena. They love us and we feel it. But we also know that the supporters who do not come love us as well. We see it in the messages we receive. I see it everywhere I go. After all, who do we do all this for, if not for the people? The team, the management, and all the staff of the AEK Organization – who are they doing it for? For the people. They are our strength.
By ‘building’ our basketball community, we are also building our future – the future of AEK…
We live for the moment when we will have a sold out, or almost a sold out, at every game…
Because, provenly, we can!
We must change…
There is no alternative.”