Panathinaikos AKTOR concluded the EuroLeague regular season with a home victory over Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (111–104). Next opponent? Anadolu Efes Istanbul!

Panathinaikos AKTOR took an early lead in the opening minutes of the game (10–7 at 4′) and extended it to +6 (17–11) by the 6th minute. However, Crvena Zvezda responded with a series of successful perimeter shots, overturning the score to close the first quarter in the lead (23–26 at 10′).

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Greens regained the upper hand (42–39 at 17′), but another Serbian scoring run from beyond the arc put Panathinaikos AKTOR behind by 2 at halftime (47–49).

In the third quarter, Ergin Ataman’s players quickly recovered from a -5 deficit (54–59 at 24′), bringing the game back to a tie (64–64 at 26′).

The duel remained fierce throughout the fourth quarter, with the lead constantly changing hands. The visitors even reached a +8 advantage (86–94 at 37′), but Panathinaikos AKTOR responded immediately, tying the game at 96–96 with 25 seconds remaining, forcing the match into overtime.

In the extra five minutes, the Greens remained composed, executed efficiently, and with clutch baskets secured the win to close the regular season on a high note.

Next opponent? Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the EuroLeague playoffs.

QUARTERS: 23–26, 47–49, 77–77, 96–96 regulation, 111–104 final (OT).
PANATHINAIKOS AKTOR (Ataman): Kalaitzakis, Brown 4, Sloukas 4, Osman 9 (1), Grant 12 (1), Nunn 31 (6), Gabriel 16, Hernangómez 18 (4), Mitoglou 6 (1), Yurtseven 11 (1).
CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET BELGRADE (Sfairopoulos): Miller-McIntyre 26 (5), Brown 9, Canaan, Davidovac 3 (1), Mitrović 13, Kalinić 10 (2), Dobrić, Daum, Petrušev 16, Giedraitis 4, Nedović 22 (5), Dos Santos 1.

Ataman: “We won the game thanks to our offensive capabilities”

Ergin Ataman spoke to reporters following the conclusion of the game against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and responded to questions regarding the upcoming encounter with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the EuroLeague playoffs.

His full statement:

“Of course, I’m happy with the victory out of respect for the 20,000 people who came here to support us in a game that had no real impact on the standings. On the other hand, I’m very concerned and disturbed because the situation is very dangerous. With the kind of defense we’ve been playing in recent home games, we won’t have home-court advantage in the playoffs. Not under any circumstances.

Tonight, we won the game due to our offensive capabilities, thanks to the individual efforts of some players and some fortunate shots. We have ten days to prepare both mentally and physically in order to make changes. If we don’t, we won’t reach our main objective. The players are happy about scoring so many points, but I’m not, because I’m the coach of this team and I cannot be satisfied with such a defensive collapse.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul is the best team in the league over the last two months. Since they lost to us here, I believe they’ve won nine straight games—they won all of them. They are in peak form going into the playoffs, and it will be a very difficult challenge for us. We need to focus on the first game rather than thinking about the Final Four or back-to-back titles. These next ten days, we must adjust certain aspects of our defensive mindset. As things stand, the chances of qualification are 50-50.”