By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Five key points by Isaia Cordinier combined with clutch defense for Anadolu Efes to prevail, 82-78, over Olympiacos in the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
Both sides dropped double-digit cushions in Round 4 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season. Exchanging blows from a tighter distance through the second half, the lead changes amounted to 18.
After connecting a corner three with 1:17 on the clock for a one-point advantage, 28-year-old Cordinier went on to also put in the go-ahead bucket with 41.6 remaining. A solid defensive effort allowed Shane Larkin to create a distance of three points with two free throws. From there, the win was secured when Sasha Vezenkov missed an opportunity to tie the game with 5.6 seconds left.
“Every win for teams at the beginning of the season is so important, because we are starting something new. Winning a game in a place like Athens and playing a team like this gives us confidence,” noted the play-caller of Efes, Igor Kokoskov.
Snapping a streak of six regular-season meetings in the head-to-head series featuring a win for the hosts, his side matched the Reds on a 2-2 start. Besides Larkin and Cordinier ending up with 18 and ten points in SEF on Tuesday, Cole Swider produced a game-high 20 points with 6/10 field goals, including four triples. Ercan Osmani had 12 points over 17 minutes, until fouling out midway through the fourth period.
With Evan Fournier headlining the list of players dealing with injuries, Alec Peters tallied a team-high 14 points, Tyson Ward followed with 13 points, and Vezenkov went for 12 points.
“The game went into one decision, one possession. We were not smart enough or calm enough to find a better option for us,” said head coach Giorgos Bartzokas.