Greek finals suspended: Panathinaikos – Olympiacos rivalry turns to chaos

The Greek championship finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos has descended into an unprecedented crisis. After serious incidents during Game 2 at the ironically named Peace and Friendship Stadium, Greek authorities announced the immediate suspension of the series. With the score tied at 1-1, the continuation of the remaining games is now highly uncertain.

A finals series that went off the rails

Game 2 between the rival clubs led to a series of violent events and unprecedented verbal outbursts. Ejected before tip-off, Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos is accused by Olympiacos of making serious sexual threats. The Piraeus club even claims an arrest warrant was issued against him by a prosecutor. Panathinaikos denies this, explaining their president left the arena due to insults targeting his daughter.

Tension also spread to the benches. Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman, who was also ejected, called it a « circus » in the press conference, denouncing racist comments from opposing fans: « They are bastards. That’s all, » he told Greek television ERT. For his part, Olympiacos coach Giorgos Bartzokas called for calm while pointing out the insults he regularly faces at O.A.K.A, Pana’s home court.

Government intervention

Facing the escalation, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis announced the suspension of Game 3, originally scheduled for Wednesday at O.A.K.A. Discussions were supposed to take place between both clubs and authorities to try to secure the remaining games. However, Olympiacos refused to sit at the same table as Dimitris Giannakopoulos, considering the leader’s presence « unacceptable » and stating that « the only meeting with him will be in court. »

The continuation of the series seems compromised, especially as public statements are turning into legal battles. Dimitris Giannakopoulos has already announced filing a defamation lawsuit against Olympiacos leaders, while his daughter has also taken legal action against the red and white club for offensive chants captured in an official video.

A disastrous image for Greek basketball

At this point, the GBL finals could simply be canceled. The toxic climate between these two institutions, despite being pillars of European basketball, projects a catastrophic image of sports in Greece. The government specified that games could still be played with spectators, but only if clubs guarantee a secure environment – which seems highly unlikely in the current situation.