ATHENS – The basketball team of Hellenic College of Thessaloniki won the gold medal at the World School Basketball Championship for high schools held in Macau, China. After the final basket, the arena was awash in blue and white for Greece, and the celebrations could be heard all around the court.

The students and their coaches were beaming as the final score was recorded – they defeated France 74-63.

“We cannot describe our feelings – so much joy and [feelings of power] together, everything seems magical and like a dream,” said some of the students, who are eager to return to Thessaloniki with their gold medals.

Speaking to the Athens/Macedonian News Agency, the school principal, Stavroula-Aemilia Founta, expressed satisfaction and pride for the talented students who worked hard and trained intensively to reach the top – the competition involved 20 countries.

“These children attending high school already had a heavy schedule from their lessons, but the passion, love, and joy that their sport offers them are what gave them the resources from the start and made them give their best,” said Founta.