ACT "Sparrowhawks" Compete in Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade- The ACT Men's Basketball Team traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, for the 15th annual BEST 2023 Belgrade Sports Tournament from May 10-14. This international university sports competition brings together teams from many countries to compete in Belgrade yearly. Coached by Michalis Stamoulos, the ACT Men's Varsity Basketball Team roster includes nine individuals: Tino Bogadinoski, Vojin Cirkovic, Antonios Flokas, Filip Ivanis, Evangelos Koufos, Georgios Neofotistos, Eron Pano, Radomir Pavicevic, and Panagiotis Tserventis. This was the final tournament for senior Antonio Flokas, whose presence will be greatly missed on and off the court next year.
On the first day of competition, the Sparrowhawks faced teams from Serbia and Lebanon before refueling at player Vojin Cirkovic's family restaurant for traditional Serbian food. The tournament schedule of the second day allowed for an afternoon spent in the city following a morning game. Highlights included exploring the Belgrade Fortress and strolling the pedestrian streets of the city center together. In the evening, the team was welcomed to Meze by Elliniko, a Greek restaurant owned by ACT alumni Peter Ivcovic. Local alums who participated in ACT athletics joined around the table to meet the team, share memories, and reconnect. On the tournament's final day, the Men's team attended the Men's and Women's championship basketball games and spent time at Galerija Shopping Center. In addition to the opportunity to participate in an international sports competition, the trip fostered a more profound sense of community within the team.
The Sparrowhawks have been invited to join an international tournament at Deree- The American College of Greece in Athens next spring. Bravo to the Sparrowhawks for representing ACT in Belgrade!
(Pictured left to right) Stepan Partemian (ACT Coordinator of Athletic and Student Activities), Aleksa Ocokoljic '19 (ACT basketball 2015-16), Petar Ivkovic '00 (ACT basketball 1995-96), Srboljub Markovic '03 (ACT soccer 2001-02), and Alexandar Popovic '98 (ACT basketball 1994-95).
