By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Just hours after Game 4 of the Greek finals and the quotes of Zeljko Obradovic about his future, Giannakopoulos family released a statement through the official team site that confirm their decision to remain owners of the team and their wish for Obradovic to remain as the coach.
The text of the press release is the following: “Just hours before Game 4, some electronic media chose the route of misinformation, not about the future of Giannakopoulos family in Panathinaikos, but about the future of Zeljko Obradovic. We feel the obligation to the millions of our fans to put an end to this crescendo of misinformation in order for our team to be serene in Saturday’s Game 5 of the Greek finals, knowing the decisions of Giannakopoulos family. Since no one else, not even an other wealthy Panathinaikos fan, wasn’t interested in buying the team, we will stay in charge for the next season and we wish, together with Zeljko Obradovic, to build a new age for Panathinaikos. Zeljko Obradovic is the most important cornerstone in the creation of the most successful team in the history of Greek sports. Without a doubt he is one of the most illustrious members of Panathinaikos family and an integral part of Panathinaikos. It’s normal for him to be on our side for 13 years and our intention is to keep him with us FOREVER, if he wishes so.
PS. We clarified our intention about the future and we have a message for the present: We are coming to Faliro…”
Faliro is the suburb of Piraeus, where the home court of Olympiacos, SEF, is located. As you have read on Wednesday in Eurohoops.net the plan for the next day of Panathinaikos is decided and Zeljko Obradovic has a big place in it. As he said after the game, he doesn’t have a final decision yet, but he wants to stay in Athens. There still is something missing in order for him to sign his new contract, but it’s evident that the two parts wish to have a new deal.