By Andriana Simos and Peter Triadafillou
Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament, bringing with them not just basketball talent but also a strong sense of heritage and connection with the Greek diaspora.
After farewelling Melbourne, where they played Partizan in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 7,000 mostly Greek Australian fans, the team flew to Sydney on a charter alongside the Serbian delegation. They were joined by Vassilis Parthenopoulos, president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, and Despina Giannakopoulou, widow of the late Pavlos Giannakopoulos and head of the mission.
From the airport, both teams went straight to the Sydney Opera House, where they posed for what has already become a historic photograph – a moment that captured the family-like atmosphere between Panathinaikos and Partizan.
Ataman and the team’s preparation
Head coach Ergin Ataman told media he was delighted with the reception.
“Yesterday we played in Melbourne in a sold-out match, and there were about 7,000 Greek fans. Especially for our fans, we are very happy to come close to them here in Australia,” Ataman said.
The coach admitted the tight schedule leaves little room for relaxation. Training resumed almost immediately, with new signing Richaun Holmes integrating into the squad and expected to make his debut against Adelaide on Sunday.
Sloukas: ‘We received a lot of love and support‘
Panathinaikos captain Kostas Sloukas told The Greek Herald he was struck by the warmth of the diaspora community from the moment they arrived.
“We received a lot of love and support from the people here in Australia, from the airport, the hotel and the stadium. There are a lot of Greek people in this country, and they are happy that we are here to play a game and to see us,” he said.
Asked what message he would give to the Greek Australian community, Sloukas was clear.
“First of all, it’s something very special that a Greek team comes here. I want them to be united and to remember their homeland,” he said, adding that the EuroLeague season ahead will be demanding but promising.
Giannakopoulou: Carrying forward Pavlos’ legacy
For Mrs Giannakopoulou, the visit to Australia symbolises continuity with her late husband’s vision.
She told The Greek Herald the trip was an opportunity to extend Pavlos Giannakopoulos’ pioneering work and said that the visible joy and enthusiasm of the Greek community was the greatest motivation to persist.
Mrs Giannakopoulou stressed that his legacy lives on through an active presence in the diaspora and through initiatives that keep bonds with overseas Greeks vibrant.
A historic moment for the diaspora
The team was also welcomed in Sydney with a ceremonial Indigenous blessing of smoke for health and good luck, an experience that left the players impressed.
With one eye on the EuroLeague season and another on their Australian supporters, Panathinaikos’ presence has already become more than just pre-season preparation.
It is, as both Sloukas and Giannakopoulou made clear, a celebration of shared roots and an affirmation that the heart of Panathinaikos beats strongly wherever Greeks gather.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos / Takis Triadafillou.
