Liverpool maintain pace with Fenerbahce after late victory over Panathinaikos

Olympiakos strengthened its position in the Euroleague standings after defeating Red Star Belgrade 92-86 on Thursday, moving into second place with their 18th victory of the season. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos suffered a heartbreaking home defeat to league leader Fenerbahce, losing 85-83 on a last-second shot at the Telekom Center Athens on Friday.

The Euroleague results highlight the competitive nature of this season’s campaign, with Olympiakos now trailing only Fenerbahce in the overall standings. The Greek champions improved their record to 18 wins in 27 matches, continuing their impressive form with seven victories in their last eight games.

Olympiakos Dominates Red Star in Piraeus

Playing at home in Piraeus, Olympiakos established control early against the Serbian visitors despite trailing in the opening five minutes. The Greek side quickly seized the advantage and maintained their lead throughout the contest, extending it to as many as 14 points when they reached a 40-26 margin.

Sasha Vezenkov delivered an outstanding performance for Olympiakos, leading all scorers with 23 points. Evan Fournier provided crucial support with 18 points, helping the Reds secure the victory despite Red Star’s late efforts to level the score.

According to reports, the visiting Red Star Belgrade team expressed serious complaints about the officiating during the match. However, Olympiakos maintained their composure and closed out the game to cement their position near the top of the Euroleague table.

Fenerbahce Edges Panathinaikos on Buzzer Beater

In a dramatic finish in Athens, Fenerbahce preserved its Euroleague lead with a narrow two-point victory over Panathinaikos. Wade Baldwin’s shot in the final second proved decisive, denying the Greens what appeared to be a certain overtime period.

The Turkish side jumped to an early 25-16 advantage in the opening period. However, Panathinaikos responded strongly, taking a 42-41 lead at halftime and extending it to 55-48 in the second half.

Additionally, Fenerbahce mounted a crucial 22-10 run that shifted momentum back in their favor. TJ Shorts appeared to force overtime with a basket just 2.5 seconds remaining, but Baldwin’s final-second heroics secured the win for the visitors.

Panathinaikos Shows Signs of Revival

Despite the loss, which dropped Panathinaikos to 12 defeats in 28 Euroleague games, the Athens club demonstrated renewed strength. Juancho Hernangomez led the Greens with 18 points, while Kendrick Nunn contributed 17 points in a promising performance following his return from injury.

The return of Nunn from injury has reportedly revitalized Panathinaikos, bringing the team back to peak form. The Athens side anticipates further reinforcement with the expected arrival of new signing Nigel Hayes-Davis, which could bolster their playoff aspirations in the coming weeks.

Euroleague Standings Take Shape

In contrast to the closely matched Panathinaikos contest, Olympiakos demonstrated consistency in their victory over Red Star. The Greek champions have established themselves as Fenerbahce’s primary challengers for the top position, with both teams separating themselves from the rest of the field.

Fenerbahce now holds a 25-3 record according to the standings referenced, while Olympiakos sits in second place. The race for playoff positioning intensifies as the Euroleague regular season approaches its final stretch.

Both Greek teams will continue their Euroleague campaigns in the coming weeks, with Olympiakos aiming to maintain pressure on Fenerbahce while Panathinaikos seeks to secure a favorable playoff position. The arrival of Hayes-Davis and continued health of key players will likely determine how both Athens clubs finish the regular season.