By Vagelis Papadimitriou/ info@eurohoops.net
After defeating Real Madrid in OAKA Altion last Thursday, Panathinaikos Aktor is set to resume the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season with a Round 29 fixture opposite archrival Olympiacos on Friday.
“Obviously, a very tough game,” Cedi Osman told Eurohoops, previewing his side visiting the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF, “If you don’t count the Super Cup, which was in the beginning of the season, we played them four times, and we beat them three times already. We know that they will play aggressively and be ready. They will put in fight, but we need to throw the first punch.”
The 29-year-old Turkish forward of the Greens previously shared how players trusting each other led to the win against Madrid and also expanded the approach into a projected berth in the Playoffs and a best-of-five series to decide the participants of the 2025 Final Four.
“We’re confident in ourselves,” he explained, “No matter who we play against, we will play our game. We trust each other. We have a great locker room here and great teammates. We’re having a great relationship with everybody. That’s what makes us special.”
Osman has averaged 7.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest over 27 appearances so far in the EuroLeague Regular Season. The defending champions currently rank third behind an 18-10 record, three games away from leader Olympiacos.