Kontos: “Panathinaikos has a completely different atmosphere, what will happen at OAKA will be unprecedented”

The new Panathinaikosthe jersey of the 2023-24 season and the big project of OAKA…

The Basketball and Communication Director of the “clover”, Dimitris Kontosspoke on EEC radio and referred to the “hot” topics of the “greens”, giving his stamp on the team being built by Ergin Ataman.

“We in Greece usually try to keep the tone quite low. The truth is that the coach has spoken clearly about what he thinks. I will say that Panathinaikos’ goals must always be high. May the team have health, may they find their chemistry. There really is a completely different auraDimitris Kontos pointed out.

To a question about the project of the new OAKA, he answered: “The goal is to create something that does not exist in the Euroleague. The goal is very big and the task is very big and it needs a lot of hard work, studies and patience. I think that in the end what will come out will be something unprecedented for Greek data, maybe also for European data. Step by step. And all of us who see it being created are anxious to see something new».

What he said in detail

For the event that took place (18/09) at the Acropolis museum: “The thought was very beautiful, but the moment we all met yesterday at the Acropolis was really very special, one of the most special we have ever experienced. Usually all these events have a color, a flow, but this was really the most special event that Panathinaikos basketball has ever done, as many years as I can remember at least. When we arrived and a tour of the players started, before the Press Conference and the presentation, in the museum premises, you could see second by second the aura completely change, they were reading, they were seeing. When we went outside and they had the Acropolis in the background, their own psychology had completely changed».

For the new Panathinaikos jerseys, which feature the Acropolis: “First of all, it was something that we had been working on at Panathinaikos for a long time, and the part of the Acropolis museum, where we thank them for the cooperation, and the decision to have the Acropolis printed on the team jersey. It was something we were very much looking forward to and something we kept a closely guarded secret for a long time and I think overall it captures the roots of Panathinaikos, the Athens team. Emotionally and symbolically it plays a very big role for all of us and of course for the world, to which we are addressing at the end of the day. It re-opens the lights not only in sports, but also in terms of culture, in Panathinaikos, because the Acropolis, the Sacred Rock and the museum, are a place that is known all over the world. It is very important for the club, the country and Athens to have the Acropolis printed on the shirt».

For the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament (23-24/09): “This is now an official Euroleague tournament, which reminds everyone what Pavlos Giannakopoulos and his family meant and means to the club. When we talk about Pavlos Giannakopoulos, we all see the response of the teams and how much they want to come and participate. This is also symbolism for a man who changed the course of the history of Panathinaikos basketball, but also of Greek basketball. Competitively we are talking about a tournament which is the last big test before the official events. The level of teams and coaches to be found this year is high, as always, we are talking about big-range coaches. It’s a good opportunity for us all to see where we stand».

For the new OAKA project: “The goal is to create something that does not exist in the Euroleague. The goal is very big and the task is very big and it needs a lot of hard work, studies and patience. I think that in the end what will come out will be something unprecedented for Greek data, maybe also for European data. Step by step. And all of us who see it being created are anxious to see something new».

Regarding whether the first works at OAKA have started: “There will definitely be changes. It would not be possible for the OAKA project to be complete, we are still at the starting point, but in any case there will be changes. They are working all day and night so that the OAKA is ready to host Panathinaikos teams and the world, now beautified, with the first stage of beautification. Things are happening, it goes without saying that not everything can be done very quickly, but in any case the world will see some important changes. Still, however, we are at the beginning. The first changes have already started, you will see them all in a few days».

For this year’s goals of Panathinaikos: “We in Greece usually try to keep the tone quite low. The truth is that the coach has spoken clearly about what he thinks. I will say that Panathinaikos’ goals must always be high. May the team have health, may they find their chemistry. There really is a completely different aura. I stand by it, because it was really difficult in previous years in terms of results. I think that Panathinaikos has the DNA to be able to “turn the switch” and this was shown in the summer. Now we have to see it on the floor as well».