Olympiacos to play Maccabi Tel Aviv to honor retired basketballer Printezis-Xinhua

Olympiacos to play Maccabi Tel Aviv to honor retired basketballer Printezis

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2024-02-24 10:19:45

JERUSALEM, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Euroleague basketball clubs Olympiacos Piraeus and Maccabi Tel Aviv will play a friendly in honor of the Greek team's retired legend Giorgos Printezis, Maccabi said in a statement on Friday, following Olympiacos' announcement.

The game between the Greek and Israeli champions will take place at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus on September 6. During the event, Printezis' jersey No. 15 will be hung from the arena's rafters.

The 39-year-old power forward spent most of his career at Olympiacos, with whom he won two consecutive EuroLeague titles in 2012 and 2013, including a winning floater shot in the 2012 final game against CSKA Moscow.

Printezis also won four Greek League titles and three Greek Cups with the red-whites, as well as a bronze medal with the Greek national team at the 2009 FIBA EuroBasket in Poland.

"We accepted with honor Olympiacos' invitation to take part in the cherishing game," said Maccabi chairman Shimon Mizrahi. "Printezis has become a symbol of the Piraeus club while combining playing wisdom and ability."

Maccabi head coach Oded Katash said, "It is a great honor for us. Printezis left his mark on European basketball in general and Olympiacos in particular."