With smiles prevailing and a warm atmosphere, the Panathinaikos AKTOR BC family gathered for the traditional New Year’s cake-cutting ceremony on the evening of Tuesday, March 4, at the Globalsat VIP Lounge in OAKA.
The team’s athletes and coaching staff were welcomed by Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos, who extended his best wishes for health and many achievements in 2025.
In his address to those present, Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos stated:
"I will take the microphone because we have an important game against Real Madrid on Thursday, and I need my voice. This is a tradition in Greece that usually takes place in the first or, at most, the second week of the year. Unfortunately, due to our busy schedule and constant obligations, we have reached early March to do so. I would like to wish you all, your families, and your loved ones a Happy New Year. May you have health, love, and strength. I hope the team continues to achieve even more positive results. One of our three main goals has already been accomplished—congratulations to everyone. I hope we reach the finish line in all the challenges ahead of us, in the EuroLeague and the domestic championship. We certainly have the talent and the strong team spirit needed; all we need beyond that is a little luck. After all, we have a player (Mathias Lessort) who even bad luck cannot defeat. That goes for the entire team, of course. I wish you all the very best."
From his side, our head coach, Ergin Ataman, added:
"We would like to thank Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos for his kind invitation. I hope this year will be the same as last year. However, this time, we have a small bonus—the Cup that Kostas Sloukas wanted so much. We secured it as an extra reward. Of course, our primary goal is to win the EuroLeague title again. After that, the domestic championship will be easier."
From the playing squad, the lucky winners of the traditional coin were Alexandros Samodurov and the European Ambassador of Panathinaikos AKTOR BC, Fragiskos Alvertis.
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