With great emotion and an impressive turnout of students, athletes, parents, and state representatives, the commemorative event for the “return” of the team that won the Silver Medal at the 2005 World School Basketball Championship for High School Boys in Poland took place at the Mandoulides Schools Cultural & Athletic Center.
The historic team, which represented Greece and achieved a remarkable international distinction, returned to its home court to face today’s Mandoulides Schools basketball team in a symbolic game that highlighted continuity, memory, and the future of school athletics.
The event was held as part of Founder’s Day, honoring Evangelos Mandoulides and his contribution to education and sports. His vision of connecting academic learning with athletics, and his passion for basketball, was a central theme of the celebration.
A particularly moving moment was the recognition of the 2005 team’s athletes and coach, in the presence of their parents, who recalled their children’s school years with nostalgia and emotion.
The event was curated and presented by Dr. Aspa Chasioti, General Academic Director of Mandoulides Schools.
Greetings were delivered by Mr. David Fitzgerald, CEO of Dukes Education Europe, and Ms. Aikaterini Mandoulidou. A special highlight was the address by Nikos Zisis, former international basketball player and General Manager of the Greek National Team, who is also an alumnus of Mandoulides Schools and a member of the school team that won the Gold Medal in Israel in 1999. Mr. Efthymios Chasiotis, Head of Athletics at Mandoulides Schools, also spoke, reflecting on that historic era and the invaluable legacy of Evangelos Mandoulidis, emphasizing the importance of values, education, and sports in shaping young people.
The athletes and coach of the 2005 team were honored by David Fitzgerald, CEO of Dukes Education Europe, together with Aikaterini Mandoulidou, Aspa Chasioti, and Lila Toutountzi, General Director of Mandoulides Schools.
Among those present were Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki Mr. Dimitris Kouvelas, Head of the Prime Minister’s Office in Thessaloniki Mr. Giannis Papageorgiou, Deputy Regional Governor for Extroversion and former basketball player Mr. Branislav (Bane) Prelević, Deputy Regional Governor for Culture & Sports Mr. Christos Mittas, Deputy Mayor for Sports, Youth, and Volunteering of the Municipality of Thessaloniki Ms. Kyriaki Giannakidou, journalist and author Mr. Kostas Mpliatkas, as well as renowned basketball coach Mr. Theodoros Rodopoulos and Mr. Nikolaos Kerameas, Head of the Mandoulides Schools Basketball Academy.
The event also had a social dimension, as essential goods were collected for the Center for People with Disabilities “O Sotir,” reinforcing the message of solidarity and community support. Representatives of the Center, including its President Ms. Rania Liakopoulou, were also in attendance.
The indoor court was filled with students and young athletes, who had the opportunity to meet the protagonists of a major achievement—on a day that proved how dreams can continue to inspire future generations.
2005 Silver Medalist Team
Antoniadis, K.Galazoulas, M.Giannakidis, A. Gryllis, I. Damalis, K. Dimitriadis, S. Ioakeimidis, A. Kelesidis, M. Matalon, Th. Plioukas, D. Travlos, G. Chatsatourov
Coach: V. Angelis
Mandoulides Schools Achievements at the World School Basketball Championship (High School Boys)
| Year | Location | Achievement |
| 1999 | Israel | Gold Medal |
| 2005 | Poland | Silver Medal |
| 2009 | Turkey | Bronze Medal |
| 2019 | Greece | 5th Place |
| 2013 | Cyprus | 11th Place |
picture gallery
