Nikos Rogkavopoulos spoke on CLUB 1908’s “Game Talk” ahead of Panathinaikos AKTOR’s upcoming clash with Olympiacos.

First of all, Nikos, happy birthday and Happy New Year! 2026 starts with a very tough game and a huge derby, Panathinaikos AKTOR vs Olympiacos. How prepared is the team for this big challenge?

“Happy New Year first of all, with health to everyone. We’ve worked well. It’s a very important game. At the same time, we’re playing at home against our eternal rival. We definitely want this game and we’ll do everything we can to get the job done”.

Both you and the coach have said that this game doesn’t give more points than the others. Still, does it have something special because of the well-known rivalry between the two teams?

“Of course it does, without a doubt. We know it. Everyone expects us to win this game. But we also have to understand that we shouldn’t be ‘never too high, never too low,’ as they say. There’s a long road ahead of us, whatever happens”.

The Telekom Center Athens has been almost full all season, sold out again and again. This time, though, we’re talking about a sold-out crowd that was secured already from the summer. The fans are waiting and eagerly anticipating this game. How ready are you to experience your first eternal derby?

“I can’t wait. I’m sure the fans will be there as they always are, and I believe that even if the arena had twice the capacity, it would still be full”.