By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
The stage is set for another high-stakes ‘Derby of the Eternal Enemies’ as Olympiacos hosts Panathinaikos Aktor at the Peace and Friendship Stadium this Friday. This clash in Round 30 of the 2025–26 EuroLeague Regular Season carries massive implications for the postseason race as the marathon 38-game schedule reaches its boiling point.
The hosts are currently navigating a mixed bag on the injury front. Serbian big man Nikola Milutinov has shown immense resilience, participating in full team practices despite a fracture in his right thumb. However, superstar Sasha Vezenkov remains a major question mark for head coach Georgos Bartzokas, as he has been limited to individual training due to persistent back discomfort that could impact the Reds’ offensive spacing. Olympiacos remains without the services of Keenan Evans, who continues his lengthy recovery from an Achilles injury, and defensive anchor Moustapha Fall, who remains sidelined with a knee issue.
For the visitors, the news is considerably more optimistic heading into the derby. The Greens expect to welcome back their frontline anchor, Mathias Lessort, who has recovered from a recent ankle surgery. With the rest of the roster reported as healthy, head coach Ergin Ataman should have his primary weapons fully available to face the hostile atmosphere at SEF.
Olympiacos currently holds the high ground in the standings, sitting in third place with a strong 18–10 record. A victory on Friday would practically cement their homecourt advantage for the upcoming playoffs. Conversely, Panathinaikos enters the matchup in 10th place at 16–13, currently occupying the final spot in the Play-In Showdown zone and desperate for a win.
With the postseason looming, every victory is vital for both sides in a congested table. This latest chapter of the Greek rivalry will not only provide local bragging rights but will also serve as a decisive factor in determining the playoff trajectory for both eternal contenders as the continental season enters its final stretch.