Greek Basketball A1 League: Olympiacos at Panathinaikos

This may have been the most intense sporting event I have ever attended. That is saying a lot after attending about 1900 sporting events. Since the hotel receptionist was correct that Saturday night’s soccer match would not be sold out, I was nervous he was correct that Sunday night’s basketball match would be. Once again, Nicole needed to work on her scholarship application. However, since she was instrumental in ticket negotiations at the Olympiacos match a week prior, I was nervous that I would be on my own for this negotiation session.

I figured I should arrive at the arena earlier than normal since I may have to walk around the stadium a few times in order to buy tickets from the secondary ticket market – if any market actually existed. I left the hotel at 7 pm for the 9:15 pm tip off.

I arrived at the Olympic Village and noticed the ticket booths I had bought tickets from the night before were closed. I figured that meant the match was sold out and I would have to negotiate for a ticket in “Greeklish”. However, as I walked towards the Olympic Basketball Hall, I noticed a small ticket booth with a light on and a small line – “that must be tonight’s ticket office,” I thought. I walked swiftly to the booth and stood in line. While in line I thought, “Was this a Will Call booth?” I looked for people paying with cash instead of an ID – they were. In addition to cash they needed to supply an ID. “Would my Illinois drivers license count?” I thought. I had left my passport in the hotel room with Nicole. When I approached the window, I noticed the ticket price was 30 euros. I handed over 30 euros and the box office seller handed me a ticket while asking me a question in Greek. “Do you speak English?” I replied. “You’re ok,” she stated and waved me off with her hand. It appears that if I could not speak Greek, the team assumed I would not cause any trouble.

I walked the 5-10 minutes to the basketball arena and decided to enter even though it was only 8 pm. With the boring atmosphere at the soccer match the night before, I did not know what to expect at the basketball match. As with NFL games, my bag was checked and I was frisked as I entered the arena. However, they required a second bag check after being frisked. Once again, I was asked a question in Greek. I responded, “Excuse me?” The police officer laughed and said, “You’re ok.” I guess an English-speaking fan was the last person they expected to attend the match.

The “supporters” section was already full. Knowing full well they would be throwing firecrackers and lighting flames in a soccer match, I did not know what to expect in a basketball arena – not to mention the former Olympic basketball arena. A few minutes later a few firecrackers were thrown towards the riot police guarding the visitors, in this case the Olympiacos bench. Instead of the length of a soccer field separating me and the flag waving, flame lighting, and fireworks throwing crowd, there were only a few sections. I started to become uneasy, as I did at my first European football match on September 9, 2001 at SK Slavia Praha.

Once I realized the fireworks and throwing objects were only directed towards the riot police and Olympiacos players I began to calm down. I did wonder if Josh Childress was rethinking his decision of playing for more money in Athens, rather than the safety of Atlanta.

Panathinaikos won the match 86-69. Panathinaikos fans were rowdy and energetic throughout the entire match, which definitely improved my respect for them after Saturday’s soccer match. I found myself rooting quietly for Olympiacos because of Childress. Based on the three matches I attended in Athens I would say I would lean towards being an Olympiacos supporter over Panathinaikos.