Saras on Printezis: 'We always laughed in PAO that he could come to OAKA and nobody would care' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: BC Olympiacos/Rytis Šeškaitis Credit BC Olympiacos/Rytis Šeškaitis

Sarunas Jasikevicius bid farewell to his old-time opponent and EuroLeague legend Giorgos Printezis, who played his last game in the Final Four at Belgrade.

Georgios Printezis

Team:Olympiakos PiraeusPosition:PFAge:37Height:205 cmWeight:107 kgBirth place:GreeceProfileNewsStatistics

It turned out that Saras, a former Panathinaikos fans' hero, was the last opponent for the Olympiacos icon.

During the halftime of the Final Four 3rd place game, EuroLeague TV reporter Joe Arlauckas stopped Printezis and handed a microphone to the legend.

"I'm not going to talk about the game with you. I want you to look up in the stands and see all the fans. And just say whatever you want. I don't care if you do it in English or Greek, just look at them,"Arlauckas said.

Printezis didn't think for a second.

"I love them very much. I love you all very much. Be well, I love you very much," Printezis said and left for the locker room.

More than 10,000 fans roared in the Stark Arena.

The love was mutual. Not only between Printezis and Olympiacos' fans, but also his biggest rivals.

Even if it takes the guy who still makes Olympiacos fans so mad to this day, despite the fact that the last time he wore a Panathinaikos jersey was 10 years ago.

"Giorgos is an unbelievable guy. He earned this respect for his behavior and professionalism," the head coach of FC Barcelona told BasketNews.

Jasikevicius faced Printezis both as a coach and a player. Saras played for Panathinaikos from 2007 to 2010 and in the 2011-12 season.

"We always laughed in Panathinaikos that Printezis could probably come to OAKA, and nobody would pay attention. He could just sit down and watch the game like a regular person," Saras smiled before continuing.

"While most of us, if we would go to that other arena, then we got in trouble..." Saras stopped and smiled. "You would leave stripped off."

Jasikevicius believes that the European basketball community shares the same feeling.

"All fanbases feel huge respect for him. As his former rival, both as a player and coach, I always felt huge respect for him," Jasikevicius said to BasketNews. "Giorgos is one of the coolest guys."

For one last time, Printezis left the EuroLeague floor in tears. But that was an emotional farewell for all EuroLeague fans as well.

Nothing but respect was in the air.

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