During his visit to Melbourne last week, Neos Kosmos had the chance to sit down with President of Panathinaikos BC Vassilis Parthenopoulos.
It was his first time back in Melbourne in 43 years. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt, his father had stayed there after the war and his mother was from Chios.
They left for Greece in the ’60s, moving to Athens when he was five.
An unruly child his father wanted a change of scenery, so they brought him to Australia at 13.
His family stayed with him for four to five years, and he remained here until he was around 30.
It was here he got his BA in Economics Business Studies from Melbourne University and a Diploma in Marketing & Management from Royal Melbourne College.
He described the feeling of being back after more than four decades as strange.
“It’s a strange feeling to tell you the truth – after 43 years, I don’t even recognise Melbourne,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“Most of the time that I was in in Australia, I spent it in Melbourne, and I remember Yarra River, but the rest of it, the buildings and all that, it’s completely new.
“It’s a beautiful city, full of life, and I’m very happy to be here again.”
One way to tell Parthenopoulos is a true-blue Melburnian, is his love of AFL and Aussie rules footy.
He was a Brunswick boy, neighbouring Carlton, so naturally the Blues became his team.
He had trained martial arts for years and he happened to be an acquaintance of legendary player/coach Alex Jesaulenko.
With his martial arts training, Parthenopoulos showed him some tricks to tackling and even played a few games for the reserves team.
“It was a really good time those days and Princes Park was walking distance to where I lived, so I loved Carlton, I never missed a game,” he said.
“I still think it’s one of the best games I’ve seen. I think I prefer basketball more than football nowadays but I love watching Aussie Rules – a fantastic game.”
Europe bball Down Under
As many would know, the reason he was back here was to announce that the 2025 Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament will take place in Sydney this September 21-22 with Panathinaikos BC and KK Partizan to head Down Under and take on each other and NBL sides Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers.
Before that on September 18, the European giants will battle it out in a friendly in Melbourne at John Cain Arena.
Parthenopoulos said he always thought about coming back but it’s not an easy trip with his obligations, plus his relatives would visit every Summer anyway.
But now basketball has given him this opportunity.
“Pavlos, in his memory, he gave me that chance… and we we’re here to honour him,” he said.
When asked about the late owner and president of the club, Parthenopoulos said he was loved by all.
“He was a man who was appreciated, and I am not saying this because I’m at Panathinaikos – Pavlos Giannakopoulos was appreciated by the whole world of sports.”
“From Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, AEK and all the teams, he was a special person, loved very much.”
“Although it’s destination far away from Europe, I think we owe it to the Greek diaspora and all the Panathinaikos fans that are here and always support us.”
Dimitris Mantzouranis/NurPhoto via AFP
EuroLeague glory
Panathinaikos are also in the EuroLeague Final Four and play Turkish side Fenerbahçe in a semi-final this Saturday May 24 at 1am AEST.
Parthenopoulos played an integral role behind the scenes in helping Panathinaikos end its 13-year wait to win the EuroLeague championship last year, while the club also reached the Final Four for the first time in 12 years.
Now they aim to do it again and if they are to reach the final back-to-back, it will be the first time since they did it in 2011 and 2012.
“We had a lot of difficulties this year, but nevertheless, Ergin (Ataman, the coach) found the solution and he got us again to the final four and we were very proud of it,” Parthenopoulos said.
“We are very proud to have him and we are looking forward to it. I am very confident that will go very well.”
He said he does hope this is just the start of a sustained period of success, for all the investment they’ve put in to the club.
‘Booming’ in Greece
The Shamrock (Trifili) is not the only Greek team in the Final Four, as Olympiacos are also there.
So there is a chance for an all Greek final for the first time ever, and even more extraordinary, the two sides will meet in the Greek Basket League final on May 31.
Parthenopoulos would love for the two to meet in the EuroLeague final, the “biggest teams in Europe” in his opinion.
It would be massive for the sport in Greece, which is already “booming”.
“I think basketball in Greece is booming, and thanks to Pavlos Giannakopoulos from 1987 and ever since he’s never stopped supporting basketball and helping out teams and young players et cetera,” he said.
“Basketball nowadays, with other teams as well doing very well, I would say we are one of the best countries in Europe from the side of supporters and TV rights and stadium sell outs.”
Lastly one thing the president is very proud of his club’s programs with players with disabilities and the autism team part of the academy.
