Announcement by PANATHINAIKOS B.C.

As Panathinaikos B.C., we express our unequivocal commitment to the absolutely peaceful conclusion of the 2024-2025 Basket League Finals, in full accordance with the principles of fair play.

We have complete confidence in the Greek justice system regarding all issues that have arisen.

Announcement by OLYMPIAKOS B.C.

As Olympiakos B.C., we express our unequivocal commitment to the absolutely peaceful conclusion of the 2024-2025 Basket League Finals, in full accordance with the principles of fair play.

We have complete confidence in the Greek justice system regarding all issues that have arisen.

Giannis Vroutsis:

“We warmly thank the administrations of the two historic clubs, who have made Greece proud. I would like to thank Mr. Angelopoulos and Mr. Giannakopoulos for responding to the government’s call.

The government’s priority is the completion of the championship in a safe environment. We’ve passed the critical point. Assurances were given regarding safety and fair play. Both sides guarantee the smooth conduct of the games.”

The key point is: the championship is back on.
The finals will resume on Friday at 21:00 at OAKA, and on Sunday at SEF (Game 4). If a Game 5 is needed, it will take place on Tuesday at OAKA. The updated schedule will be confirmed in the coming hours by ESAKE.

An agreement was reached that the Angelopoulos brothers will not attend the final at OAKA, and Dimitris Giannakopoulos will not attend the game at SEF.

A joint statement was also issued by Panathinaikos B.C. and Olympiakos B.C., reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful conclusion of the finals and respect for the Greek justice system.

Aggelopoulos Brothers

Statements by the owners of Olympiacos:

“We responded to the government’s invitation out of respect for the Prime Minister and the ministers present here. However, we do not understand the purpose of this meeting. From our side, absolutely nothing happened, given that during the game at SEF, Mr. Giannakopoulos’ behavior was unacceptable.

We are not the same, and we do not accept the equivalence that may be attempted from various sides. We are not alike. Nothing at all happened from our side. We are completely clean. We cannot accept being equated with Dimitris Giannakopoulos, who, during the game at SEF, stepped into the middle of the court and repeatedly made obscene gestures toward us personally and the entire crowd—and who also threatened to rape my underage daughter. There can be no discussion with such a person. At this moment, there are only two choices: light or darkness. The government must decide what course to take.

We have always respected the Greek government, the institutions, and the judiciary. We have proven this throughout the 20 years we have been with Olympiacos. We have always acted based on legality and the best interest of Olympiacos. We have never engaged in illegal behavior, never lost our composure, even in defeat or in outcomes that were disappointing for us. We always strive to ensure that games at SEF are held under the best possible conditions.

Matches take place without protective nets, and not even a paper airplane is thrown. Giannakopoulos’ behavior was out of control—he came deliberately to provoke the crowd. He has been sanctioned in total for 85–90 months.

He constantly posts inflammatory content, promoting toxicity and violence. The issue is not whether the championship will conclude. The real issue is whether we will accept such behavior in sports arenas. We cannot be equated—not us, nor the isolated group of fans who chanted a slogan (which, as Panagiotis said, is condemnable)—with the behavior of an owner in a frenzy on the court.”

Dimitris Giannakopoulos:

“Things need to be put into the right perspective. Because some things must be seen in the proper light. For the past 7 years, I’ve made a great effort to bring the Angelopoulos brothers to the right ethical path. I wish them well on their name days, I’ve asked them to play with me in a charity match. They’re contrary in everything.

They insult me every time I go to SEF. I went to Abu Dhabi, they were cursing at me while my son was next to me, and I never provoked anyone.

We’ve gone off track with everything that happened, and no one has even talked about the refereeing.

We held a meeting with the referees and I told them: ‘Basketball is a difficult sport. I will always see it through green-tinted glasses, Olympiacos through red. But there are rules you must follow. When people are being cursed at, by the fifth time, the match should be stopped and Panathinaikos should be awarded the championship.’

The first time there was a chant about my daughter, I made a mistake—I made a gesture and got ejected. I know there were 11 chants. I went the first and second time and they recorded them. The third time, they didn’t. And so, because of one…middle finger I showed, I was forced to miss the game. That was the least I could do, and right now I’m here—when I shouldn’t be here. But the Angelopoulos brothers, who are the moral instigators, never took a microphone to say a word.

All they said (from Olympiacos) was: ‘Throw him out.’

Then they went out and claimed I said vile things about their daughters. What I actually said was: ‘Don’t you hear them saying they’re going to f* my daughter?’ They twisted it.**

It was unacceptable for the game to be postponed, which benefits Olympiacos and gives them more time to rest. That’s a distortion of the competition. The championship must continue and be decided on the court. Anyone who breaks the rules must be punished. I place Panathinaikos above my own dignity, and I’m sure that if the championship goes on, we’ll win another one, and the gap will grow.

And one last thing I forgot to mention earlier: On Olympiacos’ official website, they uploaded a video where my daughter was being insulted, with the audio. We filed a lawsuit, and days later, not one person has come out to apologize. That’s Olympiacos.”

The Angelopoulos brothers are expected later, but there is still no official update on the time.

We are waiting for Dimitris Giannakopoulos.

The delegation from Panathinaikos BC arrived.

Joining Mr. Parthenopoulos are Panathinaikos BC’s legal advisor, Mr. Desipris, and the sports director, Mr. Kontos.

Ο Παρθενόπουλος έφτασε στο υπουργείο! #paobc #olympiacosbc pic.twitter.com/s78kT7hRLz

— gazzetta.gr (@gazzetta_gr) June 4, 2025

Also attending the meeting will be the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Giorgos Mylonakis.

The long-awaited meeting between the Minister of Sports, Giannis Vroutsis, and the owners of Panathinaikos BC and Olympiacos BC, although it went through many hurdles, is expected to take place today, even if he meets them separately.