Panathinaikos defeated Real Madrid in an incredible game in the EuroLeague final by 95:80, thus clinching their 7th title as European champions.
This was the first time since the new format of the EuroLeague competition was introduced that the first and second-placed teams in the regular season standings faced off in the final game. It’s also interesting to note that Panathinaikos emerged as the victor in each of the previous six finals.
Among the injured players, only Gabriel Deck from Real Madrid didn’t play due to a knee injury.
Although Walter Tavares committed two personal fouls right at the start, Eli Ndiaye proved to be a fantastic solution, scoring the first eight points for Real Madrid. Panathinaikos thrived on three-point shooting, and Chus Mateo received a technical foul for dissent. Then, Dzanan Musa took on the biggest burden, leading the Spanish team to a double-digit advantage. A crucial moment occurred in the final minute of the opening period when Kendrick Nunn committed his third foul.
The defending champions played phenomenally (4/6 from three), resulting in a significant 11-point lead after ten minutes of play (36:25). This marks the highest number of points conceded by Panathinaikos in any quarter this season, which speaks volumes.
Real Madrid imposed their rhythm, and defensively they looked very solid, which gave them a whopping 14-point lead at the start of the second quarter (41:27). Panathinaikos managed to adapt, and thanks to Mathias Lessort, they created an 8:0 run prompting a timeout from the Real Madrid bench. At one point, with good shots from Jerian Grant and Luca Vildoza, they narrowed the gap to just one point, 46:45.
However, Facundo Campazzo took control for the reigning champions, securing a five-point lead for Real Madrid before the halftime break – 54:49. Kostas Sloukas put an end to the first half with points from mid-range.
Kostas Sloukas continued in the same rhythm at the start of the third quarter, and after a 9-2 run capped by Nunn’s three-pointer, Panathinaikos took the lead for the first time in the game, 58:56. Then we saw a much tighter defensive game from both sides. Perhaps the best indicator of Panathinaikos’ incredible defense is the shooting statistics of 3/15 from the field and 0/8 from three-point range in the third period for the Spanish team. As a result, the Greek team led 64:61 going into the decisive final ten minutes.
Mathias Lessort committed his fourth foul in the opening minute of the fourth period, and Tavares scored his first points only then. However, it didn’t affect the game of the Athens “Greens,” as they reached their largest lead of nine points, 74:65, fueled by three-point shooting and Grant’s performance. The Greek playmaker hit two three-pointers (making him 4/4 at that point), but Llull responded with two long-range shots of his own. Panathinaikos broke down Real Madrid’s zone defense with those shots and managed to maintain a lead of 79:76.
When it was most needed, Nunn reached his 19th point, giving his team a seven-point lead at 83-76. With two minutes and 36 seconds left, Campazzo committed his fifth foul, eliminating himself from the game. Immediately in the next possession, Dinos Mitoglou extended the lead to the biggest margin of 10 points, and the Uber Arena erupted.
Chus Mateo attempted to regroup his team with a timeout, but for the remainder of the game, the reigning champions were on their knees. They failed to defend their title, so the “king relinquished the crown” to Panathinaikos, securing their seventh title in the history of the Athens-based team.
The top performers in the winning team were Kostas Sloukas (24 points) and Kendrick Nunn (21 points). Mathias Lessort contributed with 17 points and six rebounds, drawing eight fouls. In the defeated team, Dzanan Musa stood out with 14 points compared to his teammates.
This was Panathinaikos’ seventh final in the most elite European competition, and their seventh win, maintaining their perfect record in matches for the trophy of the Old Continent. Additionally, Ergin Ataman fulfilled his promise and brought the “seventh star” to the OAKA arena.
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REAL MADRID – PANATHINAIKOS 80:95 (36:25, 18:24, 7:15, 19:31)
Venue: Uber Arena, Berlin
Referees: Rocha, Difallah, Belosevic
Real Madrid: Causeur 2, Fernandez, Abalde, Campazzo 12, Hezonja 8, Rodriguez 11, Poirier 8, Tavares 4, Llull 6, Yabusele 6, Ndiaye 8, Musa 15
Panathinaikos:Β Kalaitzkis 2, Vildoza 3, Balcerowski, Sloukas 24, Papapetrou 4, Grant 11, Nunn 21, Lessort 17, Antetokounmpo, Grigonis, Hernangomez 5, Mitoglou 8