With a sustained counterattack in the last quarter, the spirited Panathinaikos managed to overcome the resistance of Maccabi in OAKA: 93-87, in front of 10,000 fans. At halftime, the Israelis led 37-47.
The “greens” entered the field as if hypnotized and forced Ataman into a quick timeout and three changes before the minute was up. Maccabi took a 20-24 lead with Hord and escaped with a 0-11 run after 33-34 with baskets by the unstoppable Roman Sorkin. An 8-0 Greek run led by Juancho Hernangometh brought Panathinaikos within striking distance: 49-51.
The Spaniard reduced to a point with a three-pointer (58-59), but Maccabi started the fourth period with a 0-8 run and took a double-digit lead: 60-71. Kendrick Nunn tied it at 73-73 with a 3-pointer and Jerian Grant made it 79-76. Juancho gave the free kick with a long shot 19” before the final.
Kostas Slukas, coming off a shoulder injury, played 12 minutes without scoring. Juancho Hernangometh led the way with 12 points, while Kendrick Nunn led the way with 21, Matias Lessor contributed 18 and Chedi Osman 12.
Ergin Ataman, who overcame the minor health problem, also used Brown 6, Grant 11, Kalaitzakis 1, Papapetrou, Mitoglou 6, Yurtseven 6. The injured Grigonis, K. Antetokounmpo.
From Maccabi, once “green” Oded Katas, David Blatt’s son, Tamir, finished the game with 6 points and 8 assists. Sorkin 21, Hord 14, Yokoubaitis 13, Lee 10, Randolph 8 also scored. Until recently Ari DeJulius’ player scored 4 points.
EUROLEAGUE 2024-2025 / PAO – MACABI TEL AVIV (MARKOS HOZOURIS / EUROKINISSI)
Before the match, KAE Panathinaikos officially called on the fans to refrain from any form of political expression. “We do not post banners or other inscriptions of a political, religious or ideological nature, with abusive, racist or sexist content, because they will bring heavy fines to our team, as well as matches without your presence,” the relevant announcement read.
It was preceded by a call from the Palestinian community in Greece (“OAKA unites its voice with Amsterdam”) to turn the match into a “meeting room”, with flags, headscarves and slogans and to exclude Israeli teams from European sports events. “Freedom in Palestine,” the audience chanted just before the end.
The “greens”, who came from the lost derby with Olympiacos in OAKA (89-94), now have 6 wins and 3 losses. Maccabi dropped to 3-6.
Earlier tonight, Olympiacos narrowly defeated Villeurbanne in Faliro with 94-92 and reached 6-3. In the second half of the Devil’s Week, Giorgos Bartzokas’ side face Maccabi in neutral Belgrade on Thursday, while Panathinaikos travel to Bologna to play Virtus on Friday.
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