Zeljko Obradovic thanked Panathinaikos president Dimitris Giannakopoulos during a team lunch, promising that players will work tirelessly to achieve their goals.
Speaking at the event hosted by Giannakopoulos for the Panathinaikos squad, the Serbian head coach reflected on his past tenure with the Athens basketball club and its current standing.
Obradovic expressed his gratitude to Giannakopoulos for the opportunity to return to the Panathinaikos family. He highlighted the joy of reuniting with colleagues from his previous 13-year stint between 1999 and 2012, noting the great legacy built during those years alongside Giannakopoulos's father and uncle.
Panathinaikos BC, based in the Greek capital of Athens, is one of the most successful clubs in European basketball history. Obradovic led the team during a historic period from 1999 to 2012, guiding the Greek powerhouse to five EuroLeague championships. The Giannakopoulos family has long owned and directed the club, with former leaders Pavlos and Thanasis Giannakopoulos establishing Panathinaikos as a European dominant force before Dimitris Giannakopoulos took over leadership of the organization.
Club transformation and commitment on the court
Comparing the status of the organization today to when he departed in 2012, Obradovic noted that while Panathinaikos was already a major institution back then, it has now transformed into something even greater. He described meeting everyone who works for Panathinaikos as incredible, adding that staff members appear happy to be part of the club, work hard, and enjoy being there.
Speaking on behalf of his players, whom he described as the most important members of the club, Obradovic pledged that the squad would fight to achieve the best possible results. He explained that the team stays on the court all day from early in the morning to prepare for their objectives.
The head coach acknowledged that while no one can guarantee outcomes, the squad will give their utmost effort to maintain Panathinaikos at the level where it belongs in terms of culture and European reputation. He closed his address by thanking Giannakopoulos once again and expressing his happiness at being back with the team.
