The potential arrival of the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament in either Sydney or Melbourne represents a significant achievement for the NBL and the nation of Australia.
Two powerhouse clubs, KK Partizan from Serbia and Panathinaikos from Greece, are in Australia this week, exploring the possibility of hosting this prestigious tournament later this year.
Executives from both clubs touched down in Melbourne on Friday, attended the Melbourne United vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix game on Saturday night, and plan to assess Sydney in the coming days as they evaluate potential host cities for the international event.
Nikola Milivojevic, NBL Director and Board Member, expressed the excitement surrounding the visit: “Welcoming executives from two of basketball’s most prominent teams to Australia is an honor and immensely thrilling.”
“Securing the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament for Sydney or Melbourne would be a significant triumph for the NBL and Australia. It promises to bring world-class basketball to our shores, draw visitors globally to the host city, and enhance cultural and sporting ties between Europe and Australia.”
“Both clubs are here to identify the best locale and venue for the tournament, and we anticipate productive discussions in the months ahead.”
The Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament is envisioned as a four-game series occurring in September, featuring KK Partizan, Panathinaikos, and two NBL teams, with global broadcast reach.
Last year’s tournament attracted a record 42,000 fans to Athens’ original Olympic Arena, creating an unparalleled basketball atmosphere. This event has yet to be staged outside Europe.
Panathinaikos, established in 1919, are the reigning EuroLeague champions, boasting seven titles, 40 Greek championships, and a vast, devoted fan base, including thousands in Australia. Notable NBA legends like Dominique Wilkins and Byron Scott have donned the Panathinaikos jersey, while current Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth played for them in 1991-92.
Founded in 1945, KK Partizan has claimed 49 trophies, including 21 national championship titles. They set a record for the highest single-game attendance in ABA League history, drawing 23,021 fans in January 2024.
Australian basketball luminaries such as Dante Exum, Jock Landale, and Nate Jawai have all worn the Partizan jersey. Former Sydney King and 2012 Olympian with the Australian Boomers, Aleks Maric, has also played and secured trophies with both Panathinaikos and Partizan.