By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Game 2 of Greece’s Stoiximan GBL Finals between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos Aktor went from tension before tipoff to an extensive aftermath following the meeting of the eternal rivals in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF.
Various incidents led to the postponement of Game 3 of a best-of-five series via a government decision. The Greens and the Reds must now find a solution, along with the alternate minister of sports of Greece, Giannis Vroutsis, to resume action on the court.
The latest reaction to Sunday’s derby was a video on the official YouTube channel of Olympiacos. The footage shows multiple incidents concerning Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the owner of Panathinaikos.
Per the press release: “This is not the first time that Dimitris Giannakopoulos has crossed the line.
The video displays what he said and did in a disgusting manner before the start of Game 2 of the Stoiximan GBL Finals.
His provocative behavior from the moment he stepped on the court, as well as his threats directed at Olympiacos president, Mr. Giorgos Angelopoulos, regarding a sexual act involving a minor member of his family, and more specifically his daughter.
He made these threats repeatedly, even in front of the prosecutor, another fact proven in the video.”
The Reds later issued a new press release, adding to the timeline leading to Giannakopoulos arriving at the gym.
“Olympiacos had warned the state in a timely manner about D. Giannakopoulos’ intentions to appear at SEF with the sole purpose of inciting violence, repeating his well-known criminal behavior.
This had become clear after D. Giannakopoulos’ vulgar insults and gestures during the Final Four and his recent threatening posts against our fans.
Specifically, with our letters dated 29/5 and 1/6 to the prosecutor of the Supreme Court, the minister of Citizen Protection, the deputy minister of Sports, the head of the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office, the head of the Piraeus First Instance Prosecutor’s Office, and the sports prosecutor, we requested that Mr. Giannakopoulos’ presence be prohibited and hroughout the Finals of the 2024-25 Greek League.
Unfortunately, we were not listened to. Yesterday’s embarrassing show by D. Giannakopoulos could have been avoided.”
Panathinaikos reaction
Using the above video, Panathinaikos pointed to fans verbally attacking Giannakopoulos and his family.
“Olympiacos posted a video of shame where it is clearly heard that it all started with disgusting chants against the daughter of Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
Furthermore, it is confirmed that Mr. Giannakopoulos wonders, ‘Don’t you hear, don’t you hear what they say, I’m going to f… your daughter?’, without any reaction or even a nod to the stands to make them stop, of course.
The video exposes the truth and refutes the narrative on which the communication mechanism relied yesterday in order not to condemn the insulting chants and to distract from what atrociously happened on the court.
Panathinaikos immediately appeals to the sports judge and the sports prosecutor against Olympiacos, which will be held accountable in court for what is heard in the video and for all the shameful events that took place last night at SEF.”
Pause to the Playoffs
Before the suspension of the championship series, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos were tied at 1-1 in the Finals.
Play In Tournament
Panionios Viva Juices – Aris Midea 92-78
Peristeri Domino’s – Lavrio DHI 90-77
Aris Midea – Peristeri Domino’s 78-83
GBL Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best of three)
Panathinaikos Aktor – Peristeri Domino’s 2-0 (88-68, 97-82)
Olympiacos – Panionios Viva Juices 2-0 (106-67, 91-85)
AEK Betsson – PAOK mateco 2-1 (89-76, 69-94, 89-85)
Promitheas Vikos Cola – Karditsa Iaponiki 2-1 (80-76, 74-78, 85-65)
Semifinals (best of three)
Panathinaikos Aktor – Promitheas Vikos Cola 2-0 (101-69, 97-59)
Olympiacos – AEK Betsson 2-0 (87-85, 90-64)
Classification games (single elimination)
Karditsa Iaponiki – PAOK mateco 90-76 (Karditsa ranked fifth)
Panionios Viva Juices – Peristeri Domino’s 102-93 (Peristeri ranked eighth)
Sixth place
PAOK Mateco – Panionios Viva Juices 94-78
Third place
AEK Betsson – Promitheas Vikos Cola 91-67