By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos struck back, avoiding a sweep in the Greek Finals by winning Game 3 at OAKA Arena against Olympiacos to reduce the deficit in the series to 1-2.
Before traveling back to Piraeus for Game 4, the EuroLeague champions issued an official statement.
“In light of tomorrow’s fourth final of the Stoiximan Basket League championship, Panathinaikos BC AKTOR calls on Olympiacos BC and all relevant authorities to take responsibility and ensure the smooth conduct of the game.
Panathinaikos BC AKTOR has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to combating violence in basketball with excellent results, and we expect the same level of commitment from all parties involved.
We call on the presidents of Olympiacos BC, Mr. Giorgos Angelopoulos and Mr. Panagiotis Angelopoulos, the team’s vice president, Mr. Giorgos Skindilias, and the entire Board of Directors to ensure the smooth conduct of the game and the safety of our athletes, coaches, and all members of our delegation.
They should do what is self-evident, as Panathinaikos BC AKTOR has done over the years at OAKA, where Olympiacos enjoys exemplary hospitality and can celebrate on the court without facing any issues whenever they win.
They must ensure that in the event of our victory in tomorrow’s game, our delegation members will not be forced to run to the locker rooms to avoid fireworks, dynamite, and any other threats to their physical safety.
In this context, we make it clear to everyone that we will not tolerate any incidents in tomorrow’s match against Olympiacos and that we will not allow the safety of our athletes, coaches, and delegation members to be jeopardized, as has unfortunately happened in the recent past at the same venue.
WE EMPHATICALLY STATE THAT WE WILL DEMAND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS REGARDING ABUSIVE CHANTS AGAINST INDIVIDUALS FROM THE MOMENT WE ENTER!
Violence has no place in basketball, and everyone must take full responsibility.“