By Bill Roumeliotis
The men’s basketball team of Panathinaikos touched down in Melbourne, Victoria on Monday morning, marking the club’s highly anticipated arrival in Australia for the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.
Although visibly tired from the long-haul flight, spirits were high as players expressed their excitement about playing in front of Australia’s Greek community.
Panathinaikos guard Kendrick Nunn shared his enthusiasm with The Greek Herald.
“I’m happy to be in Melbourne. It’s my first time in Australia and a great opportunity to get to know Australian basketball. I’ve been told that over 100,000 Greeks live here… I hope to see you all on Thursday at the game against Partizan. My teammates and I will do our best for you,” he said.
Teammate Nikos Rogkavopoulos echoed the sentiment, adding: “I’m happy to be here among Greek expatriates, and I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday for the game against Partizan.”
Panathinaikos will face Serbian powerhouse Partizan on Wednesday, 18 September at 7:30pm, before taking on the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday, 21 September at 7pm.
The Melbourne games promise to be a celebration of basketball and Hellenism, drawing thousands of Greek Australians eager to watch one of Europe’s most historic clubs in action.
