Greece Bids Farewell to Football Legend Domazos

Greek football legend Mimis Domazos, who captained Panathinaikos in the 1971 European Cup final, was farewelled at a funeral service at Athens’ Metropolitan Cathedral, followed by burial at Athens’ First Cemetery.

Domazos passed away last week at 83, two days after a cardiac arrest. The Athens church was filled with politicians and prominent figures from Greek sports, while a large crowd outside sang the Panathinaikos club anthem as his coffin emerged.

Before the service, Domazos lay in repose at the church for four hours. Speeches were given by his daughter Popi Domazou; Panathinaikos president and owner Giannis Alafouzos; current team captain Fotis Ioannidis; and former player Nikos Karoulias (from the 1980s), representing his longtime teammate Antonis Antoniadis, who was hospitalized with pneumonia.

“Today we say goodbye to a driven, passionate boy who never wanted to lose, who became the symbol of Panathinaikos and Greek soccer,” said Domazou. “Today, all of Greece mourns… A heartfelt ‘thank you’ from all of us.”

Alafouzos stated, “The presence… of thousands of ordinary citizens reflects the immense recognition… Greece bestows upon Mimi Domazos, the greatest Greek soccer player… ‘The General’ – a nickname that perfectly embodies his entire presence.”

Domazos played 20 seasons with Panathinaikos, captaining 13 and winning nine league titles. He led the team to Wembley for the 1971 European Cup final—the only time a Greek club reached a European final until Olympiakos’ Europa Conference League title last season.

He also captained Greece from 1959 to 1977, earning 50 caps, including a farewell appearance in 1980. He was married to the late singer Vicky Moscholiou from 1967 to 1978, and they had two daughters.