Gastroenteritis paralyzes Panathinaikos and AEK after Rhodes

The gastroenteritis has unexpectedly erupted in two of the main Greek basketball clubs following their participation in the preseason tournament held on the island of Rhodes. The health outbreak has generated considerable alarm in both organizations at a critical time, as the official competition is about to start and the teams are preparing to face their first commitments of the 2026-27 season.

Panathinaikos Aktor has been particularly hard hit by this unexpected situation. Six members of the coaching staff contracted the virus after returning from Rhodes, and the severity of the symptoms was such that some needed hospital care. The official confirmation of these cases came last Monday, immediately generating widespread concern within the organization. The team’s officials fear that the virus may spread among the players who traveled to the island to play the two friendly matches they won against AEK and Spartak Office Shoes.

Shared accommodation amplifies the risk

The context in which this outbreak occurred is not coincidental. Both Panathinaikos and AEK stayed at the same hotel during their time in Rhodes, which has exponentially amplified the risk of cross-contamination between both delegations. This circumstance has turned the situation into a public health issue that transcends the clubs themselves and directly affects the preparation of two teams that are fundamental for Greek and international competition.

Coach Zeljko Obradovic, at the helm of Panathinaikos, is on high alert. The coach is fully aware that his team already has a limited number of available players, and any additional absences due to health reasons could seriously compromise their plans for the start of the season. The team is already missing Moustapha Fall, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Kendrick Nunn, and Nikos Rogkavopoulos, who are not present at the training camp for various reasons. Additionally, veteran guard Kostas Sloukas is still in the process of recovering his competitive rhythm after his return.

Pressure in the calendar prior to Euroleague

The timing of this health scare could not be worse for Panathinaikos’s interests. Although the Greens have no official commitments until the Euroleague begins next week, the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament 2026 will take place this weekend, a competition that is part of the preparation for the official campaign. The potential absence of players due to illness could affect the team’s dynamics in a tournament that is important for settling systems and assessing the physical condition of the players.

The situation at AEK, while different in some aspects, is equally concerning. The Athenian club has confirmed that eight members of its delegation have fallen ill after returning from Rhodes, a number that includes five players. Among the affected is Gaios Skordilis, the team’s center, who showed visible symptoms right after landing the flight in Athens. His discomfort was so evident that it was impossible to hide at the time of return.

Additional medical complications at AEK

The situation is further complicated in the case of guard Frank Bartley IV, who has also been severely affected by the virus. Bartley's illness has had repercussions beyond the infection itself: it has delayed a medical review that was scheduled to assess a knee injury that the player has been carrying. This delay in diagnosing and monitoring a possible pre-existing injury adds an additional layer of uncertainty regarding the availability and physical condition of the American guard for upcoming games.

AEK competes in the Basketball Champions League, which means that its international commitments require maximum availability of players. The temporary loss of players due to health issues not only impacts the domestic Greek competition but also their obligations in European competition, where any absence can be decisive in high-demand matches.

Both clubs now face the task of implementing strict health protocols to prevent the outbreak from continuing to spread. Health authorities and the medical departments of Panathinaikos and AEK are working to contain the virus's spread and ensure that players and coaching staff can recover adequately before their upcoming official commitments. Gastroenteritis, while generally not extremely severe, can significantly affect the physical performance of athletes if a complete recovery is not allowed.

This incident underscores the importance of maintaining strict health protocols during team concentrations and travels, especially in contexts where multiple delegations share common spaces such as hotels. The consequences of this outbreak will become evident in the coming days when both teams resume their competitive activities and it is confirmed whether the virus has affected more members of their rosters.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gastroenteritis paraliza a Panathinaikos y AEK tras Rodas