By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After qualifying for the Final Four of the 2024-25 season of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Olympiacos edged out AEK Betsson, 87-85, to open the Semifinals of Greece’s Stoiximan GBL Playoffs.
After mishandling a 13-point lead, the Reds survived a crazy finish and Rayjon Tucker’s miss at the buzzer to clinch a win in the Peace and Friendship Stadium and earned a 1-0 lead in a best-of-three series.
Alec Peters paved the way with a team-high 24 points behind 7/13 field goals, including four three-pointers on Sunday. Sasha Vezenkov suited up but did not play in Game 1. Also, Evan Fournier (right ankle) joined unregistered Luca Vildoza and Moses Wright on the sidelines. Keenan Evans (personal) was also out.
Hunter Hale scoring a season-high 34 points in SEF was not enough for the team coached by Dragan Sakota. C.J. Bryce, due to a left shoulder injury, and Zois Karampelas, due to a right ankle injury, sat out, five days before the Basketball Champions League Final Four. Nikos Arsenopoulos and unregistered Joshua Obiesie were sidelined as well.
Game 2 will be played in Sunel Arena on May 15.
GBL Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best of three)
Panathinaikos Aktor – Peristeri Domino’s 2-0 (88-68, 97-82)
Olympiacos – Panionios Viva Juices 2-0 (106-67, 91-85)
AEK Betsson – PAOK mateco 2-1 (89-76, 69-94, 89-85)
Promitheas Vikos Cola – Karditsa Iaponiki 2-1 (80-76, 74-78, 85-65)
Semifinals (best of three)
Panathinaikos Aktor – Promitheas Vikos Cola
Olympiacos – AEK Betsson 1-0 (87-85)
Classification games (single elimination)
Karditsa Iaponiki – PAOK mateco 90-76 (Karditsa ranked fifth)
Panionios Viva Juices – Peristeri Domino’s 102-93 (Peristeri ranked eighth)
Sixth place
PAOK Mateco – Panionios Viva Juices
Third place
Semifinals losers
Finals (best of five)
Semifinals winners