Panathinaikos managed a huge victory despite the absences of Papapetrou, Mitoglou, Grigonis and returned in an emphatic way to victories.

With incredible teamwork, determination, and skill, the “greens” overcame the absence of Papapetrou, Mitoglou, and Grigonis to secure a significant victory against Fenerbahce! Who stepped up when it mattered most? Kostas Sloukas!

With smart plays and crucial baskets late in the game, he deflated Fenerbahçe, who had rallied from a -13 difference and produced a stunning 23-5 run to swing momentum. But Panathinaikos’ captain (who scored 13 points along with 3 assists and 3 rebounds) was far from done. He teamed up with Matias Lessor (14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) to hit some tough shots in the closing moments, sealing a decisive win that helped wipe away the sting of their loss in Paris.

The Match: Fenerbahçe vs. Panathinaikos

It was Panathinaikos’ defense that set the tone at the start of the game. The “greens” forced the home team into a series of mistakes, allowing them to build confidence and score some easy baskets while catching Fenerbahçe off guard. Lessor and Nan were the offensive sparks for Panathinaikos, turning an early 5-1 deficit into an 11-18 lead with a dominating 17-6 run within the first eight minutes.

The players coached by Ataman had control for most of the quarter, which ended at 15-21, with impressive stats: 6/11 on two-pointers, 2/5 on three-pointers, and 4 assists against just one turnover. In contrast, the Turkish team managed 6/9 on two-pointers, and 1/4 on three-pointers, but struggled with only one assist and six turnovers overall.

Both coaches are central figures in this game, as Sarunas Jasikevicius will face Panathinaikos (PAO), a team for which he has never hidden his feelings, while Ergin Ataman, known as a fervent Galatasaray fan, is seen as a red flag for Fenerbahce fans.

About a month ago, after Galatasaray defeated Fenerbahce 3-1 in a major football derby, Ataman, during a friendly basketball game between Galatasaray and PAO, gestured the score of that match with his fingers. Fenerbahçe’s management responded with an aggressive announcement, stating that they would no longer send any of their players to the Turkish National Team as long as Ataman remains the coach.

Last May, in Berlin, the Turkish coach was verbally attacked by Fenerbahçe fans when the PAO team arrived at the hotel where both teams were staying ahead of the Final Four. Tonight’s game promises to be extremely intense.

October 25, 2024 20:23

Following two wins to start the season (against Alba and Bayern), Panathinaikos (PAO) faced two consecutive losses in away games against Paris and Real Madrid. Now, with a third challenging Euroleague game ahead, PAO is determined to return to a positive outcome.

Securing a win at Fenerbahçe’s home court is no easy feat, especially as Panathinaikos traveled to Istanbul without Papapetrou and Mitoglou (due to gastroenteritis), and will also miss Grigonis (due to muscle spasms). However, the team will have Kostas Antetokounmpo back in the Euroleague lineup. On the Fenerbahçe side, Wilbekin and Sanli are out, but Guduric and Hayes are expected to return.