Panagiotis “Takis” Ikonomopoulos , the legendary goalkeeper of Panathinaikos and the Greek National Team, has passed away at 81, cementing his place among Greek football’s greatest figures.
Ikonomopoulos, a veteran of the “greens,” passed away on Monday, February 10. In 1999, Greek public broadcaster ERT paid tribute to the iconic goalkeeper in the show SPORTS STORIES, hosted by journalist Dimitris Hatzigeorgiou. The show celebrated the careers of great Greek athletes, including Economopoulos, who impacted the sport.
The ERT tribute featured rare footage in which Ikonomopoulos recalled his early years in football and his professional career, which included stints with Kallithea, Apollon, Panathinaikos, and Panachaiki. He shared insights into his move to Panathinaikos in 1963, where he played until 1976, and the key moments from his time with the club, including the memorable European Champions Cup final in 1971, where he was the team’s starting goalkeeper.
One of the highlights of Ikonomopoulos ‘ illustrious career came in 1974 when he played for the Greek National Team against Brazil, the reigning World Cup champions, at the Maracana stadium. He was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet, a feat he considered the pinnacle of his career.
In his tribute, Economopoulos expressed his gratitude to the Panathinaikos fans for their unwavering support and thanked his teammates for helping him continually improve as a player. Colleagues, opponents, and friends fondly remembered his exceptional goalkeeping skills and sportsmanship, recalling unforgettable moments of stunning saves.
The tribute also included highlights from Panathinaikos’ European and Greek matches, showcasing Economopoulos’ remarkable talent under the goalposts. It also included a card detailing the statistics and milestones of his distinguished football career.