By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannakopoulos answered to questions from all the journalists who are contributing to the magazine. He spoke about Spanoulis, Olympiacos, the EuroLeague and CEO Jordi Bertomeu for whom he said: “I have no personal confrontation with Jordi. Our main disagreement with the EuroLeague is the unequal treatment of all clubs at various levels”.
However, the most interesting part of the interview is the following in which he is referring to former Panathinaikos and current Fenerbahce coach Zeljko Obradovic.
You have personally honored coach Obradovic for his contribution to Panathinaikos. A few months later you published a video with your discussions with him. What exactly is your relationship? Is there a personal vendetta and why? And if so, is there a reconciliation scenario with him?
“You will allow me not to answer because at some point I want to be able to attend Panathinaikos games … If I give you an answer, I will be subjected to a lifelong ban.”
– Has Panathinaikos surpassed Obradovic’s influence? Is this a model in which the team may return? To look for and trust a new “Obradovic”?
“In the years of Pedoulakis and last year with Pasqual, if the conditions – economic, off the court etc – were a bit better, we would have already found the new Obradovic.”
– Does the personification of Panathinaikos’ EuroLeague successes in the face of Obradovic bother you? Is this an additional incentive for your investment in the team?
“I completely disagree with you that the successes of Panathinaikos are personified in Obradovic. The successes are associated with the Giannakopoulos family. Obradovic was certainly the most important tool for success. But the successes are based on the Trinity Management – Team – Fans “.
– Are there things which are still in the dark for your conversations and divorce with Obradovic in the summer of 2012? And how did you come from your statement about him being your big brother’ to the gradual and lasting dramatic deterioration of your relationships?
“While Obradovic was in Panathinaikos we had a very warm relationship and we shared moments with him that tie people together. But when he told me in 2012 that he did not want to stay, he “died” as a man for me. Therefore, as long as I am in Panathinaikos, he will always come to OAKA as a guest “.
– What is the first word that comes to your mind when you hear the name of Zeljko Obradovic?
“He is an excellent professional”.
* Eurohoops thanks “All Star Basket” magazine for their courtesy and licence to publish this excerpt from the interview.