Sweden hires Greek coach
STOCKHOLM (AP) – Greece’s Costas Flevarakis has been named the new coach of Sweden’s national basketball team. Flevarakis led Swedish club Akropol to a surprise run to the semifinals of this season’s national playoffs. The Swedish Basketball Association said Flevarakis’s international experience and knowledge of Swedish basketball «makes him an excellent leader» as the team seeks qualification for the 2005 European Championship. Flevarakis, a former coach of the Greek club PAOK, replaces Jan Enjebo, who was fired from his post in March. Sweden has been trying to join basketball’s European elite – alongside countries like Lithuania, Italy and Spain – but has struggled in major championships. As host of the 2003 continental competition, Sweden failed to win any of its three games.
