The third game in Greek Basketball League finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, scheduled to Wednesday, has been postponed, government spokesman Palvos Marinakis announced on Monday, just hours after incredible tensions took place during the second match on Sunday.
He added that the owners of the two basketball clubs have been summoned to the ministry for a meeting with the Deputy Sports Minister Giannis Vroutsis on Wednesday morning. He threatened that they either make explicit commitments that this situation will come to an end or this year’s championship will be permanently suspended.
Marinakis spoke of “unhealthy phenomena of violence and delinquency”.
Olympiakos won the game, but the event was marred by offensive and vulgar gestures, insults, and public confrontations between team officials.
Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos reportedly responded to crowd chants with obscene gestures, prompting referees to request his removal from the court. The incident triggered a heated exchange of statements between the clubs.
On their part the owners of Olympiakos, Panagiotis and Giorgos Aggelopoulos, claimed that Giannakopoulos had threatened with sexual assault the daughter of one of them, media reported. Aggelopoulos brothers said they filed a law suit against Giannakopoulos.
Monday afternoon, Olympiakos BC uploaded “The video of shame” as it called it from the incidents on Sunday, noting the “the vomit-inducing behavior of Dimitris Giannakopoulos in the 2nd final of the championship.”
The basketball championship title is awarded to the team that wins three out of five games in the finals. Panathinaikos was crowned champion in 2024.