CRAZY WELCOME FOR ŽELJKO IN ATHENS: Flares Light Up OAKA Arena as Obradović Addresses Panathinaikos Fans, Mentions Partizan Too! (VIDEO)

Željko Obradović has returned to Panathinaikos — the club with which he won five EuroLeague titles. It is no secret that adding another European crown is one of the main goals for the upcoming season.

First, he signed his contract, and then appeared at his official presentation alongside Dimitris Giannakopoulos.

Giannakopoulos opened the event with a comment about the packed press conference room.

“So crowded,” he said, before adding a brief: “Thank you very much, Željko.”

Obradović then took the floor and began his return mission at Panathinaikos with these words:

“I want to thank Dimitris for giving me the opportunity to come back here. We met and reached an agreement very easily because we understood each other perfectly. I have never lost my connection with the Giannakopoulos family and with the people here. First of all, I want to thank them for this wonderful welcome. As I have said every time I returned here with Partizan and Fenerbahçe, it was always something special for me.

You know that I am also an honorary citizen of Athens, and it is a great, great pleasure for me to be here. Once again, thank you, Dimitris, for giving me the chance to be part of one of the best clubs not only in Europe, but in the world,” Obradović said at the start of his address.

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Madness in the OAKA Arena

Thousands of fans gathered inside the OAKA Arena to welcome the coach who brought them five European titles.

Flares lit up the stands as supporters chanted Obradović’s name in scenes that will be remembered for years to come.

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He walked onto the court alongside club president Dimitris Giannakopoulos while the crowd roared its approval.

Obradović greeted the fans in his trademark fashion — placing a hand over his heart and waving to the stands. The supporters created a true celebration, and videos of the emotional moment quickly spread across social media.

Fans rushed toward him, eager for a hug and a chance to greet the legendary coach who has returned to lead Panathinaikos once again.