PSAPP Awards: Emotional speeches from George Baldock’s brother and Vasiliki Komnou’s mother

During the 43rd celebration of the Professional Footballers’ Association of Greece (PSAPP), George Baldock’s brother and Vasiliki Komnou’s mother gave moving speeches as the awards for Best Footballer and Best Female Footballer were named in their honor.

Vasiliki Komnou’s mother expressed her gratitude to PSAPP for the tribute and spoke emotionally about the loss of her 14-year-old daughter due to the lack of a defibrillator during a football game. She urged everyone to learn first aid, quoting her daughter:
“You only live once, so make sure your lips are always smiling. And when you are given something, always say thank you.”

Sam Baldock, representing his late brother George, shared:
“I wish I were here under happier circumstances. It is an honor to see George remembered this way. Football was his life, and knowing that he is being celebrated by this community would have meant so much to him.”

Otto Rehhagel Honors José Luis Mendilibar for Leading Olympiacos to the Conference League Title

José Luis Mendilibar, who guided Olympiacos to victory in the Conference League final against Fiorentina, was honored by Otto Rehhagel. Mendilibar expressed his gratitude, saying:
“It’s a great honor to receive this award from Mr. Rehhagel. Thank you to Greek football for its respect, my team, and all who contributed to this success. Without them, nothing would have been possible.”

Rehhagel, reflecting on his time coaching Greece to the 2004 Euro triumph, emphasized the importance of control and teamwork, highlighting the exceptional players he had worked with.

20 Years of Euro 2004: A Tribute to the Legendary Team

The event marked the 20th anniversary of Greece’s remarkable Euro 2004 win, with current national coach Ivan Jovanović presenting an award to Otto Rehhagel. Jovanović praised Rehhagel’s legacy and the courage, boldness, and unity of the 2004 team, which set a high standard for Greek football.

Recognizing Excellence in Greek Football

• Best Team of the Season: The top eleven players from the 2023-24 Stoiximan Super League season were recognized, with standout players from PAOK, Olympiacos, AEK, Panathinaikos, and Aris.
• Best Coach: Razvan Lucescu of PAOK received the award, emphasizing that the recognition belongs to the entire team, management, and owner of PAOK.
• Best Young Player: PAOK’s Giannis Konstantelias was awarded Best Young Player for the second consecutive year.

Inspiring Moments

A highlight of the evening was young Giannis Papastefanakis, a devoted PAOK fan recovering from surgery, who inspired the audience with his positivity:
“Face life’s challenges with positive energy and passion. I’m here to honor my second family, PAOK, and I thank them for embracing me.”

The PSAPP Awards celebrated not only the achievements of players and teams but also the spirit, resilience, and emotional connections that football fosters in the community.

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