Author

Joel Osborne writes

Posted Wednesday, April 4th 2018 @BristolSportJO

Let the best team win - Kapoulas

Wednesday, April 4th 2018

Andreas Kapoulas is relishing the opportunity to face Flyers’ captain Mike Vigor in his opening game as England head coach at the Commonwealth Games.

Kapoulas’ England squad will open their Gold Coast 2018 campaign against Vigor’s Scotland side at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre on Thursday morning (8.30am BST).

England will then face games against fellow Pool B rivals India and Cameroon on Saturday (8.30am BST) and Sunday (5am BST) respectively.

"It won’t be awkward, It’s a great opportunity for Mike to represent Scotland,” Kapoulas told Bristol Flyers TV.

"We’ve had a little chat and he’s really excited. It’s going to be a very special moment and I’m really pleased for him.

"There’s going to be a bit of a laugh and a joke before the game, but when it comes down to it, we need to get down to business.

"He’ll want to do the best for Team Scotland and we’ll want to do the best for Team England, so let the better team win."

Daniel Edozie is also set to make his England Debut on Thursday

Pool A of the men's competition features Australia, Canada, Nigeria and New Zealand.

Following the conclusion of the pool stage, the top two teams in Pool A will progress to the semi-finals, whilst the bottom two nations will join the top Pool B sides for the qualifying finals.

The winners of the qualifying finals will then advance to the semi-final and medal matches scheduled to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 13th to 15th.

Basketball will be making only its second appearance in the Commonwealth Games. It was last held at Melbourne 2006 when England won the bronze medal, beating Nigeria 78-75 in the Bronze Medal game.

"Our ultimate goal is to win a medal, but we can’t get caught up in the moment.” added Kapoulas.

"We want to take it one day at a time and keep on getting better. We’ve come a very long way in a short period of time and the preparation camps were a great opportunity for the players to get to know one another.

"All of the players and staff are really looking forward to the challenge.

ENGLAND’S GC2018 SCHEDULE

England v Scotland
Thursday, April 5th
Tip-off 8.30am BST

England v India
Saturday, April 7th
Tip-off 8.30am BST

England v Cameroon
Sunday, April 8th
Tip-off 5am BST