We closed our fantastic season with a fan gathering on Wednesday evening. In the first 15 minutes we recalled the most beautiful moments on the LED display of the Academy Educational Center.
Our guests, Zoltán Török and Zsófia Fegyverneky coming in after the frames depicting the lifting of the championship trophy were greeted with a huge round of applause.
However, they weren't the first to speak, but our head coach Roberto Iniguez, who sent a video message to our fans from his home in Spain already, whom – along with other things – he thanked for their support throughout the season, and asked for the same regarding the future.
„We still haven't woken up from this season – said our managing director Zoltán Török taking over from our head coach. - We had attempted to reach the peak, and we climbed the Mount Everest. With the finals we have already started to descend. Back down to the floor, where there is enough oxygen for us, and from where we began our journey at the start of the season. We would like to close this chapter that brought a fulfillment of an unspoken dream for lots of us with today's fan gathering accordingly.”
He added, that for us sustainment is the primary aim. We have been managing our issues in that spirit so far, and we would like to keep going that way. This will make sure that our children and grandchildren will be able to experience such wonderful events that this club has to offer for the people. Zoltán Török also mentioned an example of our forefathers: „If you have 10 Forints, spend 9.90 of it, but spare 0.10!” Following this motto we will set realistic goals for the team ahead of the 2018/2019 season!
Financial report – Pure numbers
The company's worth: 996 463 Ft
Profit after taxation: 7 167 000 Ft
Net income, which is money produced by us: 389 200 000 Ft
TAO and other supplements: 316 000 000 Ft
Besides the expenses for basketball we have invested the rest of our income, thanks to which we can cheer for our team and work in a constantly renewing Aréna.
Sopron Basket 2018/2019
There will be a slight change in the roster. One player, Danielle Page will not be with us at the beginning of the season. Another player, fitting the most in our structure, Alaina Coates, whom we could briefly get to know will return until the start of the season depending on her WNBA duties.
Zoltán Török proudly mentioned that as many offers as this year have never come in to us, but we will follow the golden rule, which is: „Do not change up a winning team!”
The trust primarily goes to those who were able to rise above the issues that came our way during the season, and fought for these results. They can wear the club's jersey proudly next year, but they will of course have to prove themselves for the coaching staff every day.
Facing the next season
Our team will begin preparation in the middle of August. The young players will get to work earlier, at the beginning of the month. We will try to give more opportunities to those values of us who had less chances this year, but only if they earn it. Just like our head coach Roberto Iniguez betokens.
Bringing home former academists – NB1 B
From the next season on we will launch a group B team, where we will attempt to bring home those players grown up in Sopron who have had less chances at other clubs recently, or have been playing in group B with other teams. Our plan is that the games of this team will be played before the first team's games.
Tears of joy for Zsófia Fegyverneky
For a short time our team captain Zsófi Fegyverneky took over from our managing director.
„What does this season mean to me? I have come away from Pécs seven years ago, because I wanted to play in the best team of the country. Over the years it had never occured to me to sign a contract anywhere else, but I was really longing for the FINAL4. We spoke a lot about this with Zoli when contract extensions were to discuss, this has always been in front of us. I wanted to play in a Euroleague final once more in my career and now that came true. – Zsófi said with a break in her voice and tears in her eyes while our fans gave her a huge round of applause.
The rest of the gathering passed in a lifted atmosphere, too. It was a worthy closure for the season!