PAOK head coach Pantelis Boutskos spoke after the game against Panathinaikos AKTOR, which was also the final game of the season for our team:

"First of all, we must congratulate Panathinaikos. They are a team with tremendous quality. We played two highly competitive games, and we spent a lot of energy at OAKA to get that road win, which is why we showed some signs of fatigue today. We have great respect for the Panathinaikos organization, and they shot an extraordinary percentage from three-point range in today's game.

It has been an incredible journey. For three months—or rather throughout the entire season—the players exceeded expectations. We should be very proud of the way we fought. When the roster changes took place, it seemed as though our goals were slipping away, but we built relationships based on trust, created a group with outstanding chemistry, and found ways to communicate effectively both in the locker room and on the court. We won eight consecutive games, one of the best streaks in the club's recent history, and we also finished the regular season with a 17-7 record. We eliminated Murcia from Europe, a team that currently sits second in Spain, then faced a tough final against Bilbao, another team of great quality, and we concluded a playoff campaign against Panathinaikos that filled us with pride.

Sacrifice, fire, and passion were present every day in practice. The players gave everything they had in pursuit of third place after several years. I must say a huge thank you to Andrea Trinchieri for showing trust in me and giving me the freedom to serve as head coach. The entire organization worked tirelessly, not only for the present but also for the future. We laid foundations for something special. I am extremely proud of my assistants, the coaching staff, and every member of the organization. Despite playing every three days, we did not make a single mistake this season. A huge thank you also goes to our fans. They were always there, even high up in the corner section in Murcia. They supported us at home and gave us incredible energy to keep fighting.

People say that the journey matters more than the destination. We were a wonderful group. I am usually someone who avoids extremes of emotion, but now I can speak openly. The feeling that prevails is serenity. We must have done something right. Maturity is a bittersweet gain. We gave everything we had."

When asked about his emotions, he replied:

"I can't describe it. Tears are the word the heart cannot say."

Speaking about his future, he said: "I was so focused on the process that there was no time to divert my attention elsewhere. A great effort is being made to build the right foundations for a new era. It would be an honor for me to be part of PAOK's next chapter."

Boutskos also commented on his collaboration with Patrick Beverley:

"When I was informed that I would lead the team, it was the greatest challenge I had ever faced. I needed to find a communication channel with Pat, and it worked perfectly. He received a lot of criticism, but he built his entire career by proving people wrong. He used that as motivation every day. I felt that for the team to succeed, we needed to give Beverley the space to do what he does best on the court. The way we played was not necessarily my favorite style of basketball. At times we played pragmatically because the result was the priority."

Reflecting on the team's daily work since he took over, he added: "We have the most beautiful job in the world. Every day you need to find motivation and become a little better than you were yesterday. I have a very analytical way of thinking. I always try to identify where added value can be created. A coach must understand which battles are worth fighting so that the team can become the best version of itself. There was tremendous intensity, vision, and inspiration behind this effort, all driven by very high ideals.

I must give credit to the players. The Greek core of the team brought energy every day and sacrificed themselves for the group. At no point were we afraid to win. We knew that regardless of the outcome, we would give everything we had, and that alone is a victory. The organization is growing significantly, and the owner's vision is being implemented in the right way. Building structures and foundations instead of adopting a flashy, short-term mentality is the correct approach."

Finally, commenting on PAOK's future, he said:

"I was completely focused on our effort, our work with the group, and our constant pursuit of perfection. For two months we walked a tightrope with no margin for error and no safety net. Andrea Trinchieri is the most suitable person to explain his vision for PAOK's future and the club's next steps.