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Greek soccer legend Mimis Domazos, the attacking midfielder who captained Panathinaikos in the 1971 European Cup final, was bid farewell at a funeral service held Monday at the capital\u2019s Metropolitan Cathedral, followed by his burial at Athens\u2019 First Cemetery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Domazos passed away last week, aged 83, two days after suffering a cardiac arrest. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Politicians and prominent figures from Greece\u2019s sports community were among the attendees who filled the Athens church.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A large crowd of admirers who had gathered outside broke into song as soon as Domazos\u2019 coffin emerged after the service, singing the Panathinaikos club anthem.<\/p>\n
Before the funeral service, the player\u2019s body lay in repose at the church for four hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Funeral speeches were delivered by Popi Domazou, one of Domazos\u2019 two daughters; Panathinaikos president and owner Giannis Alafouzos; current team captain Fotis Ioannidis; and former club player Nikos Karoulias, from the 1980s, representing legendary striker Antonis Antoniadis, a longtime teammate of Domazos who was unable to attend due to hospitalization with pneumonia.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we say goodbye to a driven, passionate boy who never wanted to lose, who became the symbol of Panathinaikos and Greek soccer,\u201d Domazou, Domazos\u2019 daughter, noted. \u201cToday, all of Greece mourns and feels this pain. Your messages are endless. A heartfelt \u2018thank you\u2019 from all of us.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Alafouzos, Panathinaikos\u2019 owner and president, stated: \u201cThe presence of the country\u2019s political and sporting leadership, along with thousands of ordinary citizens, reflects the immense recognition and honor Greece bestows upon Mimi Domazos, the greatest Greek soccer player, for his invaluable contribution. \u2018The General\u2019 \u2013 a nickname that perfectly embodies his entire presence both on and off the pitch.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Domazos played an extraordinary 20 seasons with Panathinaikos, serving as captain for 13 of them and securing nine league titles. He famously led the team, under Hungarian coach Ferenc Pusk\u00e1s, to Wembley Stadium in 1971 for the European Cup final \u2013 the only time a Greek club reached a European competition final until Olympiakos claimed the Europa Conference League title last season.<\/p>\n
Domazos also captained Greece during an international career spanning from 1959 to 1977, earning 50 caps, including a farewell appearance in 1980.<\/p>\n
He was married to the late and renowned Greek singer Vicky Moscholiou from 1967 to 1978. They had two daughters.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n