Real Madrid is toppled by Panathinaikos Athens.
Panathinaikos Athens, a top-notch basketball team, has triumphed in the EuroLeague after a 7-year hiatus. They ousted Real Madrid, the reigning champions, in the finals, marking their seventh win at the pinnacle of European club contests.
In the hall in Berlin, Panathinaikos went head-to-head against Real Madrid in the Final Four. Real Madrid, led by veterans Rudy Fernandez (39), Sergio Rodriguez (37), and Sergio Llull (36), had recently defeated Olympiakos Piraeus in the finals. However, Athens proved tenacious, even as Real Madrid dominated in the first half.
At halftime, with Panathinaikos trailing (49-54), something miraculous happened. Athens stepped it up in the second half while Real Madrid found it challenging to score points. The Panathinaikos team, with the exceptional Greek NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo cheering them on, arose to the occasion. While Real Madrid's offence struggled in the second period, the tenacious Athens team held on. The close game saw Athens edge forward with just eight minutes to play.
The game-changing three-pointer by Mitoglou
With the score at 86-76, Konstantinos Mitoglou sunk a vital three-pointer in favor of Panathinaikos. This decisive throw cemented the team's victory, with top scorer Kostas Sloukas (24 points) contributing significantly. Coach Ergin Ataman, who has claimed the EuroLeague title three times in the last four years, witnessed his team's success. He previously achieved this feat in 2021 (in Cologne) and 2022 (with Anadolu Istanbul). In his jubilant reaction, Ataman admitted, "It's incredible! We've had an extraordinary season. I'm highly satisfied and full of pride."
Regrettably, Ataman's elation was tinged with sadness. His father had passed away only a month before their success.
Earlier in the tournament, Real Madrid won against Olympiakos Piraeus in the replay of the 2023 finals (87-76); alternatively, Panathinaikos prevailed against Fenerbahce Istanbul (73-57). However, tension brewed between the fan groups of the two teams. Prior to the arena, the authorities distributed restraint orders and house bans. Sadly, in the aftermath, a man sustained serious injuries while a mass brawl unfolded between enthusiasts of both Greek clubs, resulting in 89 arrests.
Olympiakos took third place over Fenerbahce on Sunday, with a margin of 87-84. The German EuroLeague participants, Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin, were out of the playoff contention for this year's competition.
This is the tale of how Panathinaikos Athens reigned supreme in the EuroLeague, marking the team's seventh win at the forefront of European basketball.
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In the upcoming season, Real Madrid, known for its dominance in football, may look to expand its prowess into basketball, aiming to challenge Panathinaikos Athens' reign. Despite Real Madrid's successful football career, Panathinaikos Athens has proven to be a formidable opponent in basketball, as shown in their recent EuroLeague victory.
As the new basketball season approaches, the basketball world anxiously waits to see if Real Madrid, with their football star power, can dethrone Panathinaikos Athens in the EuroLeague.
Source: www.ntv.de
