Panathinaikos' president instigated the biggest turnaround in EuroLeague history / News - Basketnews.com

Vassilis Parthenopoulos, Panathinaikos' president and CEO, spoke to the players at the half-time break of the game vs. Zalgiris. Giorgos Vovoras and Paris Lee opened up about what he told them and BasketNews presents his profile.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Paris Lee was the player who triggered Panathinaikos Athens to an unprecedented turnaround in the second half of the Greens' game vs. Zalgiris Kaunas on Thursday night.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Paris Lee Points 24 Accuracy 9-12 Rebounds 1 Assists 4

The undersized guard was unreal, setting career records in both points (with 24) and PIR (27). Lee scored 19 points in the last 20 minutes, where PAO went off to a partial score of 62-23, the biggest in EuroLeague history.

But it seems that PAO's huge comeback didn't start from a player, although it looked like that on the court. It all started in the team's locker room, where Dejan Radonjic and his players returned to reflect on what they had done wrong in the first 20 minutes. Zalgiris were up by 15 (42-27) and another loss was on the cards.

Enter Vassilis Parthenopoulos. The club's president and CEO reportedly stormed into the locker room furious and had a word with the players.

With owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos being away from the team -save a few exceptions- for quite some time (since 2020), Parthenopoulos has been the main person to represent Panathinaikos in every important deal and meeting - whether it's a sponsorship agreement, the signing of a new coach or discussions with EuroLeague management.

But what did he say?

"He appealed to our emotions by talking to us after watching the first half," assistant coach Giorgos Vovoras revealed. "That was very important and we have to keep our reaction going. Build on it," the Greek tactician and former head coach told NOVASPORTS.

Paris Lee took action as well, talking to his teammates, as he told the same outlet.

"The coach spoke to us more aggressively, that they play with more will than us," he said.

"We had to respond to the game conditions. Mr. Parthenopoulos told us that we need to play better and stronger because we represent a great club," the American guard stressed.

Panathinaikos Athens / Schedule

Panathinaikos Athens Zalgiris Kaunas89-65 Real Madrid Panathinaikos AthensWed19:45 Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz Panathinaikos AthensFri19:30

In March 2019, Parthenopoulos was announced by Panathinaikos as the new executive advisor on commercial issues. He took over the position of commercial director, having prior experience at the club and being a member of the club's general director and as an executive working for the football section on marketing-related issues.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

He first came to PAO in 2004, but was released in 2013 after being accused of having a close relationship with Olympiacos Piraeus FC president and one of Greece's wealthiest ship owners, Vangelis Marinakis.

"Any member of the club that socializes with Marinakis in public and without the knowledge of our management will be heading towards the exit door," Panathinaikos FC leaked back then.

On the same day, Vassilis Parthenopoulos stated that Panathinaikos will forever be in his heart.

In the years that followed, he worked as a freelancer in his field - marketing, and public relations.

SinceJune 2021, he has been a member of the Panathinaikos BC administration. First, serving as a technical director next to GMs Frangiskos Alvertis and Dimitris Diamantidis. When the two legends left the club in April 2022, Parthenopoulos was appointed president and CEO.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

"I never left. We have an excellent team that is confident in what it does. It is a great responsibility that we have taken on. Our responsibility is towards the family of Mr. Giannakopoulos in order to keep having success," he said 20 months ago, during his presentation.

Success is what Panathinaikos are still lacking, but Parthenopoulos has a fair share in the team's latest feat.

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