Giorgos Bartzokas scrolls through the photo album of his legendary record

Giorgos Bartzokas made history in the game against Kolossos for the 11th round of the Stoiximan GBL, as he reached 209 games in the Olympiacos bench for the Greek league, surpassing Giannis Ioannidis and moving to the top of the all-time list.

One day after setting that significant record, our team’s head coach spoke to olympiacosbc.gr, opened the photo album of the milestones of this journey, and commented on the moments he has experienced over the years in the Greek championship.

The beginning against PAOK (14 October 2012, Olympiacos - PAOK 89–64)

“Can you believe that I don’t have the slightest memory of that game? I honestly remember nothing at all; not even the feeling. What I do remember very clearly is the preparation of that season. I had succeeded Ivkovic, with Olympiacos having just won the EuroLeague and the Greek League. Even though I was very excited about the challenge, the whole process was extremely difficult. I had to be accepted in an environment within a team that was already successful and had built a special status. Essentially, I had to manage personalities who had already reached the top. The difficulty of the task was enormous for me at that time.”

The first derby at the OAKA (22 October 2012, Panathinaikos - Olympiacos 60–64)

“Since then, there have been many games against Panathinaikos, which are always special and full of intensity. I had faced Panathinaikos with my previous teams as well, but this was my first time as Olympiacos' coach, in a particularly hostile environment. I don’t remember the game itself, but the intensity was clearly evident.”

The return to the GBL against AEK (3 October 2021, Olympiacos - AEK 103–78)

“It was a historic decision by the Presidents. Essentially, when I returned, the idea was to rebuild something. Olympiacos was going through a difficult period due to not participating in the Greek League and all that decision meant in terms of our European competitions. Our return helped tremendously. The reason I came back was to recreate something important with Olympiacos; not on my own, but together with everyone on the team. At the same time, I had to manage the upcoming, and visible at the time, departure of our team legends, such as Spanoulis and Printezis, due to the passage of time.

It was a difficult project, but there was enthusiasm. The following season, when Fall arrived, was the most crucial for building our core. Walkup was very important, but the combination of Walkup with Fall and Papanikolaou made the difference. These three altruistic players formed the foundation and were the pillars of the team.  I based our style of play on them and how I wanted the team to progress in the following years.”

The 100th game – a win against Panathinaikos (11 June 2022, Olympiacos - Panathinaikos 74–61)

“It was important that the 100th game was against Panathinaikos and combined with a win. In this photo, I see a lineup that contributed immensely to winning so many titles for Olympiacos. The streak we created during those years is something very difficult to repeat.”

Bartzokas’ first championship, in Printezis’ final game (17 June 2022, Olympiacos - Panathinaikos 93–74)

“A big moment, mainly because it was Giorgos Printezis’ last game and it was accompanied by winning the League title. It was a season in which we won the double and reached the Final Four. It was also my first domestic title, and I will always remember it with nostalgia. I had never won a domestic league title with any other team, so it was very important both for me and for the club.”

The third and most special League title, in Olympiacos’ 100th anniversary year (8 June 2025, Olympiacos - Panathinaikos 85–71)

“The most important and special title, because it came in the club’s 100th anniversary year, and deep down I felt it would be a shame not to celebrate it in this way. Beyond the internal motivation we had and how important it was to win the league, especially considering how it was achieved after Abu Dhabi, when we were mentally and physically drained, the fact that we beat Panathinaikos three consecutive times in emphatic fashion is something we will remember forever.

As for winning with Vezenkov injured, and Williams-Goss and Fall also injured, I truly believed we would win. This is proof that Olympiacos has never played finals fully healthy in recent years. The team spirit helped us overcome such significant absences and win the title. It was important that the team did not break under pressure after such major losses, and it was a significant achievement for each individual player.

This photo shows us together with the people who envisioned and created this team. I mean not only the back-to-back European titles earlier on, but also the change in the landscape of Greek basketball after deciding to relegate to the A2 division and everything that followed; it is their making. For me, it is a great honor to be in this photo, because I am just a small part of that story.”

The historic record of 209 games (21 December 2025, Olympiacos – Kolossos 100–86)

“To be honest, I didn’t remember that the record would be set in this game. I knew we were close, but the microphones reminded me during the first timeout. I felt truly proud. Being for so many games with Olympiacos and succeeding legends of world basketball and great coaches in the club’s history, such as Giannis Ioannidis, Dusan Ivkovic, Phaedon Matthaiou, and Giannis Sfairopoulos, shows both my bond with the team and the appreciation and trust shown to me by the Presidents, whom I thank.

Ultimately, it also shows that what we have created over these years, which I hope we continue to grow, is very important, because it includes a different approach and connection between the fans and the basketball team.”