The “Shamrock” kicks off its league campaign against the newly promoted team. Today at 1:00 p.m., Panathinaikos hosts Viko Ioannina for the first game of the Stoiximan GBL season.
The Greens are looking to secure their first domestic victory, coming off a loss to PAOK in the Stoiximan Super Cup semifinals. However, things are going perfectly in the EuroLeague. Zeljko Obradović’s team has started with an impressive 3-0 record, having defeated Paris, Villeurbanne, and Maccabi in succession while playing exceptional basketball.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Serbian coach will be without Mustafa Fall, Kostas Sloukas, Juancho Hernangómez, nor Jerian Grant, who was replaced in the foreign player roster by Nigel Hayes-Davis. Also on the roster will be Kendrick Nan, who will not play, not only because of his injury but also because he is serving a suspension carried over from last season.
On the other hand, there’s a newly promoted team that has made its own history. Following their historic first promotion to the GBL, the Vikos Falcons’ goal is to establish themselves. The roster has changed drastically, as Thanasis Giaples will have only Georgiou available compared to last year. The team has been bolstered by players who stood out in the Elite League, such as Sotiriou, Pozoglou, and Hantzis, as well as the young Karakostas and Patrikis.
The experience of Yiannis Agravanis and Kostis Gontikas will also be a big help. Among the foreign players, the team signed Floyd and Perantes—familiar faces to GBL fans—along with Allerick Freeman, who previously played in the EuroLeague with Villeurbanne, as well as Almonor, McNer, Justis, and Freeman.
*photo source: KYPE
