Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the owner of Panathinaikos, has requested Valencia Basket’s intervention to allow him to be present at the Roig Arena for the decisive Game 5 of their EuroLeague quarterfinal series.
The series between Panathinaikos and Valencia Basket is heating up. After the Greek side won the first two games in Valencia, Pedro Martínez’s team fought back with two victories in Athens to level the series. The fifth and deciding game will take place at the Roig Arena on Wednesday at 21:00.
The winner earns a spot in the Final Four, which will be held at the OAKA in Athens, where they will face Real Madrid in the semifinals.
However, ahead of the crucial clash, Giannakopoulos is serving a three-game suspension, meaning he would normally be barred from attending in Valencia.
The EuroLeague’s disciplinary judge penalized him for his behavior during the second game of the series, stating: “Mr. Giannakopoulos entered a zone designated exclusively for the scorer’s table during the match, thereby violating the restricted access rules governing the playing area.”
In response, the owner of the Athens club’s basketball section took to Instagram to appeal to Valencia Basket, asking them to intercede with the EuroLeague so he can be at the Roig Arena on May 13.
“I hope Valencia now submits a request so I can watch the fifth game, which will decide which of us will be the fourth team in the Final Four in Athens… I would also like to believe that the EuroLeague board would accept it. I am sure that all parties in basketball would unanimously agree,” Giannakopoulos wrote in an Instagram story.
Tags: Basketball, Liga Endesa, EuroLeague, Panathinaikos, Valencia Basket