By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos bounced back emphatically to level the Greek League Finals at 1-1 after defeating Olympiacos 68-58 in Game 2 at the Telekom Center Athens.
After a disappointing performance in the series opener, Nigel Hayes-Davis responded with a standout display, leading the hosts with 23 points and playing a crucial role in Panathinaikos‘ resurgence. On the other side, Evan Fournier finished as Olympiacos‘ leading scorer with 15 points, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the visitors from suffering defeat.
The game got off to a difficult start for Ergin Ataman’s team. In a low-scoring opening quarter, Olympiacos controlled the tempo and took a 15-9 lead after the first ten minutes, putting early pressure on the home side.
Panathinaikos gradually found its rhythm and began to chip away at the deficit. Improved defensive intensity and greater offensive fluidity allowed the hosts to close the gap before halftime, trailing by just one point at 30-29 as the teams headed to the locker room.
The momentum shifted completely after the break. Panathinaikos took control of the contest during the third quarter and opened up a double-digit advantage, leaving Olympiacos struggling to keep pace. Even the injury suffered by Mathias Lessort failed to derail the hosts, who maintained their composure and continued to dictate proceedings on both ends of the floor.
With Hayes-Davis leading the way and the team delivering a strong collective performance, Panathinaikos secured a comfortable 68-59 victory and tied the series at one game apiece. The defending champions now head into the next matchup with renewed confidence and the feeling that they have firmly regained momentum in the battle for the Greek title.
Olympiacos GM protesting about Giannakopoulos and Greek public television – Panathinaikos asking for Bartzokas’ punishment
Before halftime, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, during a timeout, left his courtside seat and entered the court, talking to the referees.
Nikos Lepeniotis, Olympiacos GM, stated after the game that he hopes that Giannakopoulos will be punished according to the league bylaws and added that the Greek public television, which was broadcasting the game, didn’t broadcast the incident and also broadcast with a delay Lepeniotis halftime statements on the matter.
“We denounce the public television”, said Lepeniotis to the press after the game, adding that “the game commentator, Dimitris Hatzigeorgiou, has been hired by Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos on one of his websites. I hope it had nothing to do with this, because we experienced a situation like a dictatorship from the public television”.
Panathinaikos issued its own press release asking for Olympiacos coach Giorgos Bartzokas to be punished because of his behavior toward the referees and also for cursing Panathinaikos manager Savvas Aronis after the end of the game. The team announced that they will take legal action, and they also expect the punishment of Olympiacos GM for “targeting public television journalists”.
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 1-1 (82-76, 58-68)
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