By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
With impressive turnout and an atmosphere of excitement, the largest FIBA 3X3 Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival 2025 concluded successfully. For the 7th year, it filled the capital of the Cyclades with energy, passion, and basketball stars, transforming it — from June 27 to 29 — into a global point of reference. The historic Miaouli Square, with the iconic Ermoupolis Town Hall in the background, was once again transformed into a unique open-air basketball venue, gathering athletes of all ages — professionals and amateurs — and a large audience from all over Greece and abroad.
The festival, once again, served as a vibrant hub of sports, entertainment, and inspiration, offering to the visitors unique moments and promoting the values of sports and participation. Basketball returned to neighborhoods, to open courts, and to the hoops of childhood — where the love for the game is born. Parallel activities and surprises accompanied the games, enhancing the experience for young and old, reminding everyone of the magic of playing outside, with passion, spontaneity, and smiles.
The event broke all records
The iconic Miaouli Square was once again transformed into the center of Greek 3X3, hosting the biggest basketball event of the year.
With continuous flow of games on 4 open courts, Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival set a new participation record, with 590 male and female athletes and 168 teams (70 adult and 98 youth teams, as well as many women’s teams) taking part — numbers that surpass every previous similar event in Greece. Within 3 days, 340 games were held across different categories, offering non-stop action and strong emotions for all ages. Each day, more than 2,500 spectators filled the square, while professional and amateur athletes — aged from 9 to 58 — gave their best, filling Syros with basketball energy. The participants came from Greece, Europe, and America, confirming the international character of the festival.
At the same time, hundreds of children engaged with the sport in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere, promoting amateur sports.
The importance of the event as a basketball institution was underlined by the presence of Greek Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Mr. Giannis Vroutsis, in Syros, reinforcing the significance of Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival both for sports and the local community. In the context of strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, the festival proceeded with the renaming of the U11 children’s category to U11 Dimitrios Vikelas, paying tribute to the Syros-born author Dimitrios Vikelas, who played a pivotal role in the revival of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
With this initiative, under the auspices and support of the National Organizing Committee for Athletic, Olympic, and Paralympic Education, History & Values, the aim was to highlight the timeless values of sport and bring children closer to the values of sports and education through inspiring role models.
Creation of an Indoor Basketball Court in Syros
During his presence on the island, Deputy Minister Giannis Vroutsis announced that he is fulfilling the request of both the festival’s visionary Georgios Printezis and all the residents of Syros, following the proposal and study by the Municipality of Syros–Ermoupolis for the construction of an indoor basketball court on the island.
A festival that left a social impact on Syros
Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival 2025 was not only a top-level sports event but also once again highlighted its important social role for the island of Syros. The festival practically supported sports tourism, contributing to the full occupancy of accommodations and offering visitors the chance to experience the beauty and hospitality of Syros through the lens of a modern sports institution. For the 7th year, the vision of Georgios Printezis proved that sports can act as a driver for social contribution, returning to squares and neighborhood courts. As part of its corporate responsibility actions, Stoiximan, which participated for the fourth consecutive year as title sponsor, delivered a project of substantial value to the local community: the fully renovated outdoor basketball court at the Municipal Sports Center of Ermoupolis “Dimitrios Vikelas” giving new life to a public sports space and making it accessible to young and old alike.
Sports came even closer to the new generation, through a basketball clinic held on Thursday, June 26, by EuroLeague legend and European champion with Real Madrid Joe Arlauckas, who passed on his love and values of the sport to the children of Syros. The clinic was also honored by the presence of international player Giannis Mavroeidis. Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival once again supported and highlighted amateur sports, while bringing global stars from the NBA and Europe closer to the Syros audience, proving that the event has become an institution that goes beyond sports and leaves a meaningful social impact. On the same evening, Miaouli Square hosted a special moment of the festival, with journalist and presenter Maria Mpekatorou conducting an exclusive interview with Georgios Printezis. In a warm and heartfelt conversation before the audience, the festival’s founder shared moments, memories, and his vision for the island and the event.
Basketball stars who “lit up” Miaouli Square
At this year’s Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival, eleven spectacular teams – the Stoiximan Falcons, COSMOTE TELEKOM Rockets, Intersport Raiders, adidas Titans, Blue Star Sharks, L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Nets, Nespresso Vikings, Seiko Hawks, Seneca Pacers, Trident Long Lasters, and Snappi Raptors – “turned up the heat” on the court at Miaouli Square. Their rosters included some of the biggest names in European and Greek basketball: Alongside Georgios Printezis, were two-time EuroLeague champion and best defender Bryant Dunston, EuroLeague champion Luca Vildoza, assist wizard Marcelo Huertas, and European basketball legends Dimitris Diamantidis, Theodoros Papaloukas, and Giannis Bourousis. On the court also appeared EuroLeague champions Kostas Papanikolaou and Vangelis Mantzaris, internationals Giannoulis Larentzakis, Dimitris Mavroeidis, and Nikos Gkikas, former Cyprus national team captain Panagiotis Trisokkas, and top athletes Nikos Rogkavopoulos, Omiros Netzipoglou, Nikolas Plotas, Giorgos Fillios.
Women’s presence was stronger than ever, with top female athletes proving that basketball knows no gender. Among them were EuroCup and Greek champion Eleanna Christinaki, Greek Cup and league champion Dionysia Alexandri, international champions Mariella Fasoula and Ioanna Diela, international players Penelope Pavlopoulou, Renia Karlafti, and outstanding athletes Athanasia Panagiotopoulou, Ismini Prapa, Chrysa Kilazidou, Vasiliki Louka, Georgia Veloudou, and Nelly Bibiri, strengthening the festival with energy, talent, and sportsmanship.
Familiar faces in the capital of the Cyclades
Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival in Syros welcomed once again beloved and well-known figures from sports and entertainment, adding color and uniqueness to the event. Among them were “lord of the rings” Lefteris Petrounias, Olympic gold and double bronze medalist and eight-time European champion, who impressed with his presence. Also present were Greek football legend Giorgos Karagounis, world parkour champion Dimitris Kyrsanidis, charismatic Giorgos Lentzas, and dynamic sports journalist Christina Vrachali, who all brought pulse, positivity, and true love for sports to the audience.
The VIP 4on4 games held for the first time on Saturday and the VIP League 3×3 on Sunday were broadcasted live by COSMOTE TV, offering millions of viewers the chance to watch the excitement and passion of these thrilling matchups, with presenter Fanis Lampropoulos bringing humor and liveliness to the broadcast.
The spectacular Dunking Devils by Stoiximan fired up the crowd with their incredible dunks, providing countless moments of awe and enthusiasm for the fans who filled the venue and stayed in their seats until the end.
Miaouli Square turned into a colorful space full of entertainment and interactive experiences
During this year’s Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival, Miaouli Square became a lively, colorful entertainment hub, full of energy and interactive experiences for young and old. At the specially designed sponsor booths — Stoiximan, COSMOTE TELEKOM, L’Oréal Paris Men Expert, Seneca, Trident, and Snappi — visitors had the chance to participate in interactive games and competitions, win gifts and surprises, enjoy music, and share unique moments with their favorite athletes.
Exciting contests and unique prizes
As part of the event, on Saturday and Sunday, spectacular contests were held that highlighted the talent, precision, and imagination of the participants, offering unforgettable moments to the audience of Syros.
On Saturday, at the Adidas 3 Point Contest, the winner was Pinelopi Pavlopoulou, while in the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Shoot All Around, Eleanna Christinaki stood out. Dionysia Alexandri won the KOIS Long Shoot, while the SEIKO Hangman was conquered by Nikos Plotas, and in the Blue Star Ferries Free Throw, Nelly Bibiri distinguished herself.
Vangelis Mantzaris impressed and won the Stoiximan Shooting Star, while in the Intersport Knock Out, the winner was Dimitris Mavroeidis, who also claimed the Stoiximan Shooting Star on Sunday. Sunday’s contests continued with the COSMOTE TELEKOM Skill Challenge, which was won by the event’s visionary, Georgios Printezis. In the Trident Looong Shoot, Theodoros Papaloukas made the decisive shot that gave him the win. Ismini Prapa emerged victorious in the Seneca 3 Point Contest, while Giannoulis Larentzakis stood out in the Nespresso Shoot All Around, and the Snappi Hangman was won by Giorgos Fillios. Among other things, what truly sets the event apart is that many players offered the valuable prizes they won to the crowd, further enhancing the purpose of the event and reinforcing the message of giving and generosity.
Big victories in the VIP games
In the VIP 3X3 League, the trophy was lifted by the Intersport Raiders, consisting of Theodoros Papaloukas, Kostas Papanikolaou, Georgia Veloudou, Nikos Plotas, and Ioanna Diela. In the VIP 4on4 of the Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival 2025, the champions were the Nespresso Vikings, with Marcelo Huertas, Nikos Rogkavopoulos, Dionysia Alexandri, Dimitris Kyrsanidis, Christina Vrachali, and Panagiotis Trisokkas raising the trophy and delivering unforgettable moments.
The event was supported by leading sponsors and valuable partners:
Title Sponsor: STOIXIMAN
Major Sponsors: COSMOTE TELEKOM, INTERSPORT
Official Broadcaster: COSMOTE TV
Sponsors: ADIDAS, BLUE STAR FERRIES, L’ORÉAL PARIS MEN EXPERT, NESPRESSO, SEIKO, SENECA, TRIDENT
Supporters: ARGINI HOTEL – SYROS, FOOT LOCKER, HOLLAND & BARRETT, POWERADE, SNAPPI, ZAGORI, KOTSOVOLOS
Partners: HUMAN TECAR, PMS SECURITY, SPALDING, TESLA, TGI, TRIPO.GR, TUSKS DIGITAL MEDIA, ATHENS MEDICAL GROUP
Local Partners: ARMENAKI, CIEL, DR DRAKOTOS, GRAND GELATO, ISLAND PACKAGING, KOIS OPTICS, LIAKO, ONO, ORA BARESTO, SAINT, WINDOOR, THEOFILOS, PROZYMI, TO ARCHONTARIKI
Official Hospitality Partner: HOTEL AEGEAN PARADISO
Strategic Media Sponsors: EUROHOOPS, SPORT24
Organizers of the Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival 2025 were Progame, the Municipality of Syros – Ermoupolis, and the Region of South Aegean.
The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, the Cyclades Basketball Clubs Union, and the Cyclades Amateur Basketball Referees Association, as well as with the kind support of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).
