A sudden and tragic end came to the life of a 15-year-old female football player from PAOK, following a road accident on Friday, 10 July 2026, on the Thessaloniki Regional Road. The club and its wider family are now plunged into mourning for the young athlete, who played for PAOK’s women’s second team.
Collision with garbage truck
The incident occurred in Thessaloniki, where a garbage truck collided from behind with a motorcycle ridden by the teenager’s father. According to his emotional testimony to Live News, the impact hurled them some 15 metres — and his daughter was fatally struck.
‘They killed my child,’ he said, voice heavy with grief. ‘I was riding the motorcycle with my daughter when a garbage truck hit us from behind. I wasn’t injured — not even a scratch — but my daughter died. The motorcycle was hit from behind, meaning the garbage truck came from that direction. It threw us 15 metres away. My daughter was run over. Nothing else matters. My daughter isn’t coming back. It happened at 11:15 a.m.’
A rising talent at PAOK
The young player, Anna-Maria Pantazoni, was part of PAOK Women’s B team and considered one of the club’s most promising prospects. This summer, she was set to take part in the first team’s pre-season preparations.
PAOK’s official statement
In an official announcement, the Athletic Union of Constantinople (PAOK) expressed profound sorrow over the ‘unjust and unimaginable loss’ of Anna-Maria Pantazoni. The club described her as a bright young athlete with her whole life ahead — deeply embedded in the core phase of the senior women’s squad’s preparations.
As a mark of respect, PAOK announced several measures: the cancellation of tomorrow’s scheduled friendly match against Ludogorets in Bulgaria; the wearing of black armbands by all players in upcoming matches; the laying of a wreath in her memory; and full attendance by the women’s football department at her funeral service.
A follow-up announcement will provide details on the time and location of the funeral service.
‘May the earth rest lightly upon you… Safe journey, Anna-Maria.’