In an excellent atmosphere and warm environment, the Panathinaikos BC AKTOR family cut its traditional New Year’s cake during an event that took place on Wednesday afternoon (4/3) at the Globalsat VIP Lounge of the Telekom Center Athens.

Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos welcomed the players and members of our coaching staff, wishing everyone a 2026 full of health and success.

Addressing those in attendance, Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos stated:
“It is March and it feels a bit strange to wish Happy New Year, but still, Happy New Year. Love, prosperity, luck, happiness and good health to everyone, to your families and your loved ones. Personal achievements and hopefully team achievements as well.

I am very optimistic. We have the best team in Europe, the best players in Europe, the best atmosphere in Europe, the best arena in Europe and the best coach in Europe. I believe we have ‘the best’ at every level. And it is only a matter of time before, at the end of the year, that table most of you know in Sounio will have all three trophies on it. And that is where we will celebrate together at the end of the season. On June 22, on my birthday. You are all invited. We will put tequila in one, vodka in another. And what will we put in the third one, Kendrick (Nunn)? OK, cognac. You’re my guy.

I am very optimistic. I see Juancho smiling. It is still March. I want to smile too, I know it is still March. You know March is your month, right? And your smile always predicts things. Once again, Happy New Year and all the best from you.”

After the conclusion of the ceremony and the announcement of the lucky winners, Mr. Giannakopoulos took the floor once again, stating:
“Of course we want the three trophies, not for the table. We want them for the millions of fans across Greece who support Panathinaikos. Everyone has bonuses in their contracts. As I told you, I am very optimistic. So what I will do today is tell you that at the end of the season, if we have all three trophies on that table to make our fans happy, in addition to all the bonuses you already have, there will also be one million euros from me to be shared among everyone in this room. This is not from the budget, it is from me. And actually it is not from me, it is from Fri.”

Ataman: “We can do it again!”

On behalf of the team, our head coach, Mr. Ergin Ataman, said:
“First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Giannakopoulos for inviting us once again to this traditional New Year cake celebration. It is very kind of him. On the other hand, of course, I would like to thank him for supporting all of us in every difficult situation. He has great trust in this group and in all these people. We have a great responsibility toward his always positive opinion about the team — to give him and our fans what they need.

I am sure he does not want these trophies for his table. He wants them for all Panathinaikos fans, for the entire Panathinaikos family. And I am sure that we will try to do our best, even though until now we have faced a lot of misfortune along the way. But the real season will finish in mid-June. I am confident that this team has the power to finish the season the same way we did in the first year. We did it and we can do it again.”

Finally, the President of Panathinaikos BC AKTOR, Mr. Vasilis Parthenopoulos, noted:
“Regarding what Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos and our beloved coach said, the only thing I would like to add, apart from the wishes, is that I want you to know that due to the very unfortunate incident currently taking place in the Middle East, we have taken all the necessary measures and precautions to ensure safe travels. I also want you to know that we have in mind and are working on a new format for the competition for next season in order to protect the well-being of the athletes. I wish you all the very best. Happy New Year to everyone.”

From the team, the lucky winners of the event were Marius Grigonis (who received the main prize), Nigel Hayes–Davis, the General Manager of Basketball Operations Dimitris Kontos, as well as the team’s Head Physiotherapist, Kosmas Kontogiannis.