Greek teams secure Euroleague victories in home and away fixtures

Olympiakos has surged back into the Euroleague top four after defeating Barcelona 87-75 at home on Thursday, marking their fifth consecutive victory in the competition. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos secured a narrow 79-78 road win against Villeurbanne in Lyon on Friday, continuing to compete without injured superstar Kendrick Nunn.

The Euroleague standings saw a significant shift as both Greek powerhouses claimed crucial victories during the regular season’s 24th round. Olympiakos improved to a 16-8 record with the win, though they narrowly missed matching the margin from their earlier loss to Barcelona, which could impact tiebreaker scenarios if the teams finish level on wins.

Olympiakos Dominates Fourth Quarter Against Barcelona

The Piraeus club started strongly against the Spanish giants, establishing a commanding 27-13 lead in the opening quarter. Coach Giorgos Batzokas’s squad extended their advantage to 46-37 by halftime, appearing in control of the contest.

However, the third quarter proved challenging for Olympiakos, as Barcelona mounted a comeback to take a 64-59 lead. The momentum shift threatened to derail the Greek team’s winning streak heading into the final period.

The hosts regrouped magnificently in the fourth quarter, unleashing a devastating 28-11 run that sealed the victory. Jan Vesely’s buzzer-beater for Barcelona prevented Olympiakos from achieving the precise margin needed for a head-to-head advantage, but the win remained emphatic nonetheless.

Balanced Scoring Leads Olympiakos Victory

Sasha Vezenkov led the scoring with 20 points, while Tyler Dorsey contributed 17 points for the winners. Additionally, Tyrique Jones earned MVP honors despite scoring 16 points, thanks to his all-around performance that included eight rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, according to the official game statistics.

Panathinaikos Survives Scare in France

Panathinaikos overcame a difficult start to edge bottom-placed Villeurbanne 79-78 on French soil, improving their Euroleague record to 15-10. The victory came despite continued absence of Kendrick Nunn, demonstrating the squad’s depth during a challenging period.

The Greens fell behind 14-3 early as their slow start allowed the home team to build an 11-point cushion. The introduction of veteran point guard Kostas Sloukas changed the complexion of the game, sparking a turnaround that saw Panathinaikos take their first lead at 22-21 early in the second quarter.

In contrast to their opening struggles, Panathinaikos never trailed again after seizing the advantage. The return of Cedi Osman and Dinos Mitoglou from injury bolstered the roster, while the defense, anchored by Jerian Grant, suffocated Villeurbanne’s offense throughout the middle periods.

Road Win Provides Momentum

Panathinaikos built a comfortable 71-56 lead before Villeurbanne mounted a late rally that nearly erased the 15-point deficit. Nevertheless, the Greek visitors held on for a crucial road victory ahead of a demanding schedule.

Sloukas paced the Greens with a game-high 26 points, while Grant added 15 points to complement his defensive contributions. The performance provided much-needed confidence for Panathinaikos as they prepare for upcoming challenges.

Both Greek clubs face critical upcoming fixtures as the Euroleague regular season enters its final stretch. Panathinaikos confronts a particularly demanding double week with matches against Real Madrid and Partizan, while Olympiakos will aim to extend their winning streak and solidify their playoff positioning.