Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos’ Strong Season Marred by EuroLeague Disappointment

Panathinaikos has dominated the Greek league this season, remaining unbeaten and entering the finals as clear favorites. However, their overall campaign can’t be deemed fully successful after a disappointing EuroLeague Final Four performance.

Falling to Fenerbahçe in the semifinals and then losing the third-place game to Olympiacos has left the team in a less-than-ideal mental state heading into this series. Still, derby matches always bring out extra intensity, and Panathinaikos will undoubtedly fight fiercely.

The Athens-based squad has plenty of regrets. Despite bolstering an already elite roster, they couldn’t secure back-to-back European glory. Their defense lacked aggression against Fenerbahçe, and Kendrick Nunn’s early fifth foul in the fourth quarter left them relying heavily on Cedi Osman.

The consolation game against Olympiacos allowed some players to rest, while others, like Mathias Lessort (12 points), regained rhythm. Omer Yurtseven stood out with 23 points, but the team’s EuroLeague exit remains a bitter pill to swallow.

Olympiacos’ Struggles and a Glimmer of Redemption

Olympiacos also had a turbulent season, trailing Panathinaikos in the Greek league and pinning their hopes on EuroLeague success. Many expected them to reach the final after their trip to Abu Dhabi, especially against Monaco.

Instead, they delivered one of their worst offensive performances, scoring just 68 points and crushing their fans’ expectations. Their victory over Panathinaikos in the third-place game provided some consolation, but questions linger about the team’s future.

The Monaco loss could trigger major changes for Olympiacos this summer. Nearly every player underperformed, with Evan Fournier (31 points) being the lone bright spot. Sasha Vezenkov’s struggles (7 points) were particularly glaring, a far cry from his usual impact.

However, he bounced back with 23 points against Panathinaikos, where Alec Peters shined with 32 points and 7 rebounds. Despite this small redemption, Olympiacos must regroup quickly if they hope to challenge their rivals in the finals.