Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi hand-delivered his new Panathinaikos jersey to the first supporter who ordered it online at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. The 26-year-old international star surprised the fan inside the venue before watching his new team secure a 1-0 victory over Niki Volou in the Superbet Greek Cup.
Ounahi, who recently joined the Greek capital club, has been assigned squad number 21 for the upcoming season. Supporters rushed to place online orders for the official kit as soon as it became available, prompting the club to arrange the unexpected presentation at the stadium ahead of kick-off.
Supporters acclaimed the midfielder upon his arrival at the venue, known locally as OAKA, where his marquee signing has generated widespread enthusiasm among the fanbase. Panathinaikos also released an official promotional video marking his return to the team's training center at Koropi, accompanying the footage with the statement that while some people chase time, Ounahi stops it.
Beyond his stadium appearance, Panathinaikos formally included Ounahi in their official European squad list for upcoming continental fixtures. Fellow recent signings Imran Louza and Gael Kangwa were also registered in the squad submission, while midfielders Pedro Chirivella and Chaves were left out of the European roster.
Spanish top-flight league La Liga also highlighted the midfielder's previous performances by publishing a video tribute showcasing the goals he scored during his tenure with Spanish side Girona.
Greek Cup victory and tactical reactions
On the pitch at OAKA, Panathinaikos opened their Superbet Greek Cup League Phase campaign with a 1-0 victory over Niki Volou. The victory gave the greens an initial win in the newly structured cup competition.
Following the final whistle, Panathinaikos head coach Nistrup reflected on the performance, stating that the match had presented a difficult contest for his team. Nistrup added that their subsequent fixture against rival side PAOK would be an entirely different game requiring a distinct approach.
The domestic cup matchday featured a full slate of fixtures across the country, establishing the initial standings for the League Phase and setting the schedule for the second round of cup matches.
Player retirements and transfer moves
Away from the match action, veteran Spanish midfielder Ruben Perez officially announced his retirement from professional football, bringing an end to his playing career after several seasons in the Greek top flight.
Transfer activity continued across the capital as Jamaican winger Leon Bailey arrived in Athens in the early hours of Friday morning to finalize his transfer to Olympiacos. Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at the airport, Bailey stated that he aims to win the UEFA Europa League again with his new club.
In northern Greece, PAOK are actively evaluating options to bolster their forward line and have placed French striker Gaëtan Laborde on their radar for the current transfer window.
Meanwhile, prominent PAOK supporters group Gate 4 issued a public statement regarding club owner Ivan Savvidis. The fan organization stated that the time had come for Savvidis to depart from PAOK as a friend, marking a notable shift in supporter sentiment.
Athletics achievements and tennis results
In international athletics, Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis competed against Swedish world record holder Armand Duplantis at a high-profile track event in Brussels. Reflecting on his performance after the contest, Karalis stated that he believes he might break the world record himself one day.
In tennis, Greek player Maria Sakkari suffered an unexpected early elimination from the US Open in New York. Sakkari lost her match 2-1 against opponent Starodubtseva despite taking an early lead, ending her campaign at the hard-court Grand Slam tournament.
Global sports developments and basketball tournament
At the governance level of international football, governing bodies FIFA and UEFA are heading toward a legal dispute in court. The conflict centers on confidential commercial plans organized by FIFA President Gianni Infantino involving private investment partners.
In South American football, authorities in Argentina announced a unique tribute to national team captain Lionel Messi. Domestic league matches across the country will be paused at the 10th minute of play to honor the veteran forward's contributions to the sport.
In North American soccer news, Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire completed a roster move by signing defender Noah Allen, who transferred from Inter Miami.
In Greek basketball, Panathinaikos BC confirmed the schedule and participant list for the annual Pavlos Giannakopoulos preseason tournament. The prestigious event will feature host team Panathinaikos alongside visiting clubs Partizan, PAOK, and French side Bourg.
Meanwhile, Olympiacos BC head coach Georgios Bartzokas addressed reporters regarding early-season team preparation, stating that available training time is shrinking while competitive team obligations continue to increase.
