Deputy Minister for Sports Yiannis Vroutsis confirmed that the Greek Basketball League finals would continue, after the clashing owners of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos basketball clubs responded to an ultimatum to show up at the ministry at 15:00 on Wednesday.
The summons to the ministry came after altercations between Panathinaikos Club owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos and Olympiacos club owners Giorgos and Panagiotis Angelopoulos during a game on Sunday. Initially the owners told media they would not sit at the same table, but the minister reiterated that if they did not reach an agreement to lower the tension, the championship would be permanently suspended for the year.
The owners met separately with the minister on Wednesday, the day a game was been postponed due to the issue.
A verbal agreement was reached by the owners that they would not attend games at their rival's home team stadium.
Vroutsis said, "We weathered the storm, the finals will continue with the personal commitment of the owners to guarantee a climate of safety. I thank the two historical teams that have made Greece proud, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, and personally Mssrs Angelopouloi and Mr Giannakopoulos for the immediate and positive response to the invitation by the state. The government's priority is that finals are carried out smoothly and the championship concludes in a climate of safety and sportsmanship. The talks were held in a good, constructive, and substantial climate. The owners of the two clubs are guaranteeing the smooth running of the games."