Following their success at the World Championships, Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has donated €200,000 to Greece’s national water polo teams.
The Hellenic Olympic Committee confirmed the bonus, which will be split equally between the men’s and women’s sides. Greece’s women were crowned world champions in Singapore, while the men secured a bronze medal after a dramatic run in the tournament.
Who will receive the money?
The payment will be shared not only among players but also with coaches and support staff, a gesture designed to recognise the wider team effort behind both campaigns.
HOC president Isidoros Kouvelos described the men’s bronze as being “worth as much as gold”, praising Marinakis for stepping in with support beyond what the committee itself can provide.
His financial backing of Greece’s water polo stars highlights a tradition of private benefactors supporting athletes in the country alongside state funding.
Marinakis shows his support for sports beyond football
The Nottingham Forest owner, who is well known in the UK through his ownership of Forest, has often spoken of his desire to reward excellence across different sports.
The 58-year-old has been president of Olympiacos since 2010 and became majority owner of Nottingham Forest in 2017, overseeing their return to the Premier League in 2022.
Forest fans will be familiar with his influence on the pitch, but this latest donation shows Marinakis is also prepared to invest heavily in success away from football.
With both Greek teams now turning their focus towards preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the funding is seen as a timely boost.
Nottingham Forest’s season so far
Forest got off to a good start this season winning their opening fixture 3-1 over Brentford at home. Their 2nd game has taken on much greater significance vs Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday following this summer’s hearings at CAS.
FA Cup winners, Palace were demoted to the Europa Conference League after violating UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations with Forest promoted to the Europa League in their place.
This means according to reports in the Guardian, Forest stand to make about £20million from the promotion to the Europa League.
Marinakis has invested heavily in the club this past week signing English forward Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town, English creative midfielder James McAtee from Man City and French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes on permanent deals for around £90m.
The club have also added former Aston Villa, Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz on a loan deal from Juventus showing how the club have reinvested the profit they made from the sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle and then some.
It promises to be another good season at the City Ground.