By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Like every Greek derby, the EuroLeague Round 30 matchup between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos has its own significance, especially with the game taking place at Piraeus.
The timing could also add extra pressure for Panathinaikos, who sit in 10th place with a 16–13 record compared to Olympiacos’ third-place mark of 18–10. However, Ergin Ataman made it clear he doesn’t see it that way.
In fact, he used the opportunity to underline his belief that his team will be at the Final Four in OAKA—showing almost as much certainty as club owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos, who has openly spoken about winning the trophy.
“There’s no pressure. The weather is nice today, so I went swimming. I feel good, and so do my players. It’s a EuroLeague game – yes, a derby, but there’s no pressure. It’s just another derby and, of course, we’ll try to give our best, but there’s no pressure on us. We are sure we will make the playoffs and that we will reach the Final Four,” said the Turkish coach.
He added that the team is focused on the remaining part of the regular season.
“We’re ready for another EuroLeague game. We’ve seen that in the EuroLeague there’s no real home-court advantage – we’ve lost several games at our own arena. We’re ready for the game. It doesn’t matter whether it’s at OAKA or SEF. Of course it’s an important game, a derby, but most of all it’s part of the final stretch of the regular season. There are nine games left. We need more wins to secure a good position for the playoffs.”
Ataman also stressed that each meeting between the two rivals is unique.
“The final of the Greek Cup was a different game. Every game is different. Both teams know each other very well. What really matters is the form you’re in on the day of the game.”
These comments came just hours after Mathias Lessort returned to team practice. The big question now is whether he will be included in the squad and potentially make his first appearance since May 25, 2025.
“I’m happy for him. He was one of our most important players in our success during the first year. Now he’s returning after a year and a half. I don’t know when he’ll make his debut – soon, maybe tomorrow, maybe not. I’m not sure. He will decide, but I hope he’ll definitely be on the court in the next game. I’m 100% sure he will be on the court against Zalgiris (March 12). We’ll see about tomorrow.”
Panathinaikos had the option to train at SEF earlier, as they have done in the past, but chose to remain at their own facility until game day.
“We’ll go to SEF in the morning for shootaround. We decided to practice here today. In other away games we also practiced here and then traveled. We chose to stay here today, but tomorrow morning – like we do for every away game – we’ll have our shootaround there. They were kind enough to give us access to the arena, as the regulations require. We’ll go there in the morning and then wait for the game.”
Olympiacos will be without injured Thomas Walkup and Sasha Vezenkov, while Monte Morris is also doubtful.
“It doesn’t change our plan. I read earlier that Walkup and Vezenkov will be out. We’ll see tomorrow. Obviously they’re both very important players, but we’re not playing against Walkup and Vezenkov – we’re playing against Olympiacos. They always have great players and a great roster. What matters most is how we perform. They are very important players, but with all due respect, this season we were without our most important offensive player, Kendrick Nunn. He only played in one of the last six or seven games. And we were also without our center Mathias Lessort for two years. Now those two are out. It’s a basketball game – nothing really changes for us or for them.”
Apart from Alexandros Samodurov, Ataman confirmed that everyone else on the Panathinaikos roster is available.
“Everyone is fine except Samodurov. But this season we’ve had some unpleasant surprises on game days. I hope everyone will be healthy tomorrow and then we’ll finalize the 12-man roster. We have 15 players and all of them are in good shape. We’ll choose the 12 who will play.”