By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
The battle lines for the Stoiximan GBL Finals are officially drawn following an intense Monday of contrasting preparation for two giants, the finalists of Greece’s top-flight division.
While the best-of-five championship series is scheduled to tip off this Wednesday at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, the home venue of Olympiacos, tension is running high at Panathinaikos Aktor.
The green camp received an unexpected shake-up at Telekom Center Athens when club owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos made a surprise appearance at the training session. Speaking in a remarkably strict and harsh tone, he expressed deep dissatisfaction with the team’s sluggish GBL Playoffs performance. Following their elimination from the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens, presented by Etihad, where their archrivals ultimately captured the continental trophy, Giannakopoulos held everyone accountable. He demanded total focus, explicitly reminding the squad that domestic redemption and returning to the top of the domestic league remain the ultimate requirement.
In Piraeus, head coach Giorgos Bartzokas faces entirely different tactical adjustments. The Reds entered their Monday practice with guard Tyler Dorsey forced to sit out after suffering a right quadriceps injury, leaving his availability for Game 1 in question. Aside from Dorsey’s setback and the long-term absence of Keenan Evans, the rest of the roster remains fully active and available.
GBL Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Olympiacos – Kolossos H Hotels Collection 2-0 (117-76, 97-58)
AEK – Aris Betsson 2-1 (87-81, 81-90, 102-99)
Panathinaikos Aktor – Mykonos Betsson 2-0 (99-75, 90-76)
PAOK – Peristeri Betsson 2-0 (91-79, 77-72)
Semifinals (best-of-three)
Olympiacos – AEK 2-0 (94-77, 95-68)
Panathinaikos Aktor – PAOK 2-0 (114-102, 102-94)
Finals (best-of-five)
Olympiacos – Panathinaikos Aktor
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