One TEAM, thousands of people, two Cups and a great athlete and human being were the protagonists of this evening’s night at the OAKA. Panathinaikos, in the presence of 14,000 of its friends, raised the Greek League Cup next to the Greek Cup Trophy 2013, as few dry eyes would remain around the court, Kostas Tsartsaris to withdraw from action amongst a warm round of applauds and an apotheosis. All this, while Thanassis Giannakopoulos would set his own tone for the day after and Dimitris Giannakopoulos with Katerina Giannakopoulou would hand over the Champion’s trophy to captain Dimitris Diamantidis. Images are hard to be described, no matter how many words are used and sensations are even harder so, when it comes to the atmosphere in and around this team.
Slightly prior to the team’s entrance, Thanassis Giannakopoulos took the floor: “My beloved friends! This is Thanassis Giannakopoulos speaking, your guy! Above all, I would like to say well done and thank you to all of you for coming to our celebration. This celebration is your celebration, because you stood by the team. Above all I must congratulate the coach, Mr. Argyris (Pedoulakis) and the players one by one, but above all Tsartsaris’ efforts, who for 11 whole years aided to the extent of his ability and I must say well done and thank you for all he did for our Panathinaikos. Now I would like for you to quiet down, I have a complaint I have been holding inside for an entire year. Last season, at this very time Panagiotis Angelopoulos was singing “Where are you Thanassis, where are you Thanassis?” (famous Greek song). I will answer now and tell him I am here with my family, with all the Giannakopoulos members and I promise you this, it is a great opportunity for me to make you a promise: Panathinaikos will be here for 10 more years”.
The event began with the entrance of the players, the technical staff and all who were next to them all season long, taking care of everything, in a party of laser lights, music and videos of all this team has accomplished. The friendly game which followed in a low pace manner and with heaps of laughter ended swiftly for Kostas Tsartsaris’ time to come. In an apotheosis which was more than fitting, Tsartsaris was honored by Dimitris Giannakopoulos, leaving the floor to a player who for 11 years gave his all out on the court for Panathinaikos, a man who honored both team and Greek basketball! “I would like to thank you all for tonight’s honor. It’s been 11 amazing years, with many moments of joy and less of sadness. Thank you for the support, on a personal level but mostly on a team level. This team is the pride of the Panathinaikos family and we must support it always! Thank you all so much. You will always be my family”, Tsartsaris stated passing over to the… Cup.
All the players and the technical staff received their medals from HEBA President, Girogos Halvatzakis, the trophy was awarded to Dimitris Diamantidis, who raised it in an apotheosis alongside Panathinaikos BC president, Dimitris Giannakopoulos and Thanassis Giannakopoulos’ daughter, Katerina… It was the moment all had been waiting for, before it would be curtains in a triumphant style for 2012-13 season, a date to be set for titles also next season. Always alongside with the Panathinaikos people!
