By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The person of honor in the “Diamonds Are Forever” tournament, the one and only Dimitris Diamantidis was obviously deeply moved when he took the stage in order to talk about the tournament and the retirement of his jersey.
“Good afternoon to everyone. It seems that is easier to leave than holding a microphone. I thank everyone for all these years I was here, for your support and for your love,” he said and then added. “For these three days of honor I want to thank Giannakopoulos family, mr. Pavlos, mr. Thanasis, mr Dimitris and mr. Kostas. I will bother you only for two extra minutes.
I want to say a big thank you to all the teammates I played with in this team. My coaches, the fans. I love you all so much. I want to thank Kostas Pilafidis who showed me the way and I love a lot. I want to thank some people that are behind the spotlight.
I want to thank mr Paris, mr Nikos, mr Savvas, Thanasis. I love you all from the depths of my heart.”
He later spoke to the Greek television station NOVA, saying that: “I think this is a great honor. I wish that every athlete will live such a thing. I have received so much love in this team but what happened today is unique. I have said ‘thank you’ many times, but this is the appropriate word.”
I feel something special for Giannakopoulos brothers and Zeljko Obradovic. I wish Zoc was here too. But I know he has obligations with Fenerbahce. I love him very much.
During his last press conference, Dimitris Diamantidis revealed that he will be involved in a certain program of Panathinaikos BC. “It’s highly possible that I remain in Panathinaikos, in the team’s academies. We are in talks with the management about it.”