By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Celebrating the 39th birthday of Giorgos Printezis, Olympiacos confirmed plans to retire the jersey worn by the two-time EuroLeague champion. Jersey number 15 will be indeed lifted to the rafters. On September 6, 2024, the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF, will host the ceremony.
The Reds announced the date on Thursday.
Retiring jersey number 7 to honor legendary Vassilis Spanoulis in September, early in the 2023-24 season, intentions to retire Printezis’ jersey were immediately revealed. Delivering the update, the date was officially set, about one year after the jersey retirement ceremony of the longtime captain of Olympiacos and current head coach of Peristeri bwin, at the top of the 2024-25 season.
As officially announced by the Piraeus club, they will face Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Printezis’ honor.
“Maccabi Tel Aviv respectfully accepted the challenge of Olympiacos to take part in the honor celebration for Georgios Printezis, who has retired from active play,” said the president of Maccabi, Shimon Mizrahi. “Printezis became one of the symbols of the Piraeus team over the years and won back-to-back European champion titles, combining wisdom and skill. Additionally, he was one of the pillars of the Greek National team in recent years. We’ll see you soon!”
The native of Syros playing for the Greek powerhouse was split between two stints, from 2001 to 2009 and 2011 to 2022, covering the majority of his career. Among multiple game-winners and clutch efforts, his floater decided the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship game in 2012. One year later, he helped Olympiacos secure back-to-back titles, the third and last to date championship run in team history.
Further success stretched to the 2013 FIBA Intercontinental Cup and several domestic championships, including a couple of Finals MVP nods in the top-flight division of Greece. Being named in the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2017 and in the 2010-20 EuroLeague All-Decade Team stands out among numerous individual accolades.
Succeeding Spanoulis and serving as team captain during his 17th and final season, Printezis called it a day after the 2021-22 campaign.