Greek basketball is enjoying a remarkable season across Europe, with clubs making headlines in every major competition within just 24 hours.
On Wednesday, PAOK came heartbreakingly close to winning the FIBA Europe Cup—both its first and Greece’s first title in the tournament. PAOK edged Bilbao Basket 84-82 in the second leg of the home-and-away final in Thessaloniki. However, their 82-75 loss in the first leg in Spain left them one point short on aggregate. Despite leading by 10 points in the final quarter, PAOK couldn’t hold the margin in what was their first European final in 29 years.
Earlier that same day, AEK Athens cruised past France’s Nanterre 104-69 to win their Basketball Champions League playoff series 2-1. AEK had taken the opening game in Athens and dropped a close second leg in France, but left no doubt in the decisive Game 3. AEK will now host the Final Four in Athens next month—a tournament they previously won in 2018.
In the Euroleague, both Greek giants, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, opened their playoff campaigns with home victories, keeping Final Four hopes alive.
On Tuesday, Panathinaikos overcame a 12-point deficit against Efes Anadolu to win 87-83, led by Juancho Hernangomez, who posted 20 points and 16 rebounds. Kendrick Nunn received the Euroleague regular season MVP award before tip-off.
On Wednesday, Olympiakos defeated Real Madrid 84-72 in Piraeus. The win looked more dominant than the score suggested, as Olympiakos held a commanding 21-point lead at one point. Sasha Vezenkov led the charge with 23 points, while Evan Fournier added 13.
Games 2 of both Euroleague series will take place Thursday and Friday in Athens and Piraeus, as Greek clubs continue their push for continental glory.
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