Liverpool regain form while rival team struggles to find consistency

Olympiakos has climbed to second place in the Euroleague standings following a dominant 109-77 victory over Virtus Bologna at home, while rival Panathinaikos dropped to eighth position after suffering a disappointing 78-62 defeat at Partizan Belgrade. The contrasting Euroleague results this week highlight the diverging fortunes of Greece’s two basketball powerhouses as the season progresses toward the playoffs.

The double-week conclusion confirmed Olympiakos is on track for a top-four finish with 17 wins in 26 games, while Panathinaikos faces mounting challenges if it hopes to compete in the Final Four it will host in May. The Athens-based Greens now hold a 16-11 record, raising concerns about their postseason prospects.

Olympiakos Dominates with Convincing Performance

On Friday at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Olympiakos delivered one of its most convincing performances of the season against the Italian side. According to reports, Virtus Bologna initially led during the first eight minutes before the Greek basketball club took control of the contest.

The Reds exploded in the second quarter with a devastating 37-11 run that effectively decided the outcome. By the end of the third quarter, Olympiakos had built a commanding 39-point advantage at 89-50, showcasing exceptional shooting efficiency with 68% accuracy on two-point attempts and 46% from beyond the arc.

Sasha Vezenkov led the scoring effort with 20 points, while Tyler Dorsey contributed 18 points. The team eased off in the final period with the game well in hand, but the damage had already been done to their Italian opponents.

Panathinaikos Struggles Continue Without Key Player

Meanwhile, Panathinaikos endured another difficult evening in European competition on Thursday. The absence of Kendrick Nunn is reportedly affecting not only the team’s Euroleague results but also threatening internal cohesion within the club.

Just four days after losing to Aris in domestic league play, the Greens suffered their worst offensive performance in Europe this season. The team trailed by as many as 26 points in Serbia, with most players failing to perform at their usual level.

TJ Shorts was the lone bright spot for the visiting side, scoring 21 points and drawing six fouls. However, no other Panathinaikos player reached double figures in scoring, underscoring the team’s offensive struggles and over-reliance on individual performances.

Playoff Implications for Greek Euroleague Contenders

The contrasting trajectories of the two Greek clubs have significant implications for the remainder of the basketball season. Olympiakos appears well-positioned to secure home-court advantage in the early playoff rounds, while Panathinaikos faces an uphill battle to regain form.

Additionally, the pressure on Panathinaikos intensifies given their role as Final Four hosts in May. The expectation to compete at the season-ending event adds another layer of urgency to resolve their current issues.

The situation becomes more complex for the Greens as they navigate player availability concerns and team chemistry questions. In contrast, Olympiakos continues building momentum at a crucial point in the season, demonstrating the depth and consistency required for championship contention.

Both teams face critical upcoming fixtures that will further define their playoff seeding and championship aspirations. The return timeline for Kendrick Nunn remains uncertain, and Panathinaikos must find solutions quickly to avoid further deterioration in their Euroleague standing before the postseason begins.