By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Kostas Sloukas sat down with Eurohoops to discuss a possible timeline for him to call it a day.
“I have little time left to finish my career, for sure, but I am very motivated to win the EuroLeague and the Greek League once more,” he stressed during the EuroLeague’s preseason Media Day.
Furthermore, the Thessaloniki native of Panathinaikos Aktor has yet to make a final decision on a retirement date.
“I don’t know,” the four-time EuroLeague champion confirmed to Eurohoops, “But I know, from the beginning of my career, that you must understand when to stop. I think I have a respectable career, which deserves a proper closure and correct timing.”
The experienced combo guard also rejected the notion of additional stress during games for the Greens because the EuroLeague Final Four 2026 will be held in Athens.
“All the guys here understand the pressure to win, for titles, positive showings. I don’t think there will be additional pressure,” he said.
“Struggling to believe it”
After switching from Olympiacos to the opposite side of the derby of the eternal enemies in 2023, Sloukas celebrated yet another EuroLeague championship in 2024, earning a spot among the banners in Telekom Center Athens, formally known as OAKA.
“I am proud,” he replied during a peek at the rafters, “We achieved something great. This is my legacy, what I am leaving behind on the team for many years to come. I am very honored to be the captain of this team through recent success. And, of course, I am placed alongside [Dimitris] Diamantidis, [Dejan] Bodiroga. [Zeljko] Obradovic. As I have said many times, I am still struggling to believe it.”
Plenty more matchups between the Greens and the Reds are coming up this season, from Europe’s premier club continental competition to domestic competitions in Greece.
“There is a rivalry. Certainly, we all want to win. It’s us or them,” explained Sloukas, diving into the heated clashes of the Greek powerhouses, “Beyond the court, this stuff doesn’t matter, as proven by our great success alongside Olympiacos players on the national team. We shouldn’t blame the fans only. I believe toxicity is a comfortable space for some. The players must be calm on the court and be the example to follow for our families.”
Opening the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season, his side will be at home to face FC Bayern Munich on Tuesday and FC Barcelona on Friday. Staying in Athens for Round 1 of the Stoiximan GBL Regular Season, Panathinaikos will face PAOK next Sunday.