This year marked the end of the glorious professional basketball career of Georgios Printezis.

Georgios Printezis ended his long-tenured career at Olympiacos Piraeus this year. The veteran forward now heads into retirement after winning the Greek title for the fourth time.

After winning the Greek league title on Friday, Greece and Olympiacos Piraeus legend Georgios Printezis officially announced that he's retiring from professional basketball.

Georgios Printezis reached the end of the road in his playing career. The emblematic forward of Olympiacos Piraeus made his last appearance in the red-and-white jersey in a triumphant 93-74 blowout over Panathinaikos OPAP Athens in Game 3 of the Greek League finals. 

Greece and Olympiacos Piraeus legend Georgios Printezis officially called it a day.

Olympiacos Piraeus cruised past their opponents in the Greek Basketball League's quarterfinals. Now, they are set to meet Promitheas Patras in the semifinal.

Sarunas Jasikevicius bid farewell to his old-time opponent and EuroLeague legend Giorgos Printezis, who played his last game in the Final Four at Belgrade.

The 2022 Final Four in Belgrade will probably be Giorgos Printezis' career-last.

The emblematic Olympiacos Piraeus' captain is competing in his sixth tournament, which could hand him his third EuroLeague trophy. In order for his side to do that, they must get past reigning champs Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Thursday's semi-final.

Printezis joined Olympiacos in 2002 and when presenter Joe Arlauckas mentioned it at the beginning of the inaugural press conference, the 36-year forward joked about it.

"After 20 years, it doesn’t sound so good," he said with a smile. 

"It’s a very big honor and privilege to be here. Also,for our fans. Of course, it’s not so easy because our first goal wasn’t the Final Four. We had to fight hard to get here. I am happy, like my team," he said.

Olympiacos have won the last five semifinal games, starting from 2010. Printezis was a part of the team in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017, when the Reds eliminated Barcelona and CSKA Moscow the other three times to reach the final game.

"Sometimes, we used to talk about Final Fours. But all players know what they mean and what it takes to being the team here. Our coach, Sloukas and Papanikolaou have the Final Four experience and give others some advice, but I think they know the way."

Olympiacos' captain was asked about the differences between every Final Four he's been a part of. 

"Every Final Four is different," he replied.

"There’s always anxiety and you have to reach your goal. One difference is that Olympiacos have had three different version. First, we had a very big budget and renown players. Then, in 2012-13, we had a low budget and got back-to-back EuroLeagues.

Now, we have a young new team, with the exception of me, Kostas Sloukas and Papanikolaou, we started from scratch to get to the Final Four."

Olympiacos' fans are expected to be the overwhelming majority at the Final Four and Printezis knows how big of an impact their support can have on the team. 

"Fans will give us more energy. They have done it all season long. They haven’t put any pressure on us," he said.

Fans became the protagonists in Game 5 against AS Monaco that sealed the Red's Final Four ticket.

"It was amazing. I understand that it wasn’t the right way for the game to finish, but the emotions after two years of COVID were very intense. I hope that we will give them more positive feelings in this Final Four," Printezis concluded.

Giorgos Printezis is getting ready for what will possibly be his career-last EuroLeague Final Four. 

The 37-year-old forward will travel with the rest of Olympiacos Piraeus' squad to Belgrade next Tuesday afternoon. For the seasoned veteran, this will be his sixth presence in European club basketball's premier event. 

"We can say that this year, we've gotten more than we wanted," Printezis told Greek public broadcaster ERT following Olympiacos' 17th straight Greek League win, against Kolossos Rhodes at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. It was the Reds' last game before they take on Anadolu Efes Istanbul next Wednesday. 

Printezis, by far the oldest player on the team, said he feels blessed for being a part of "three different versions of Olympiacos. The first one was in 2009, the second in 2012 and the third is now. The joy of going to the Final Four is great. It is a beautiful feeling and for the good of Greek basketball," he noted.

"We are a team that proves that when there's a strong bond on the court, great things can happen," the Greek international continued.

"We're playing modern basketball with energy and speed. Every player performed at 100%. People love basketball but it's very difficult for any team to go to the Final Four and win it."