EuroLeague: Panathinaikos eyes back-to-back titles in historic Final Four
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Panathinaikos: A True Force To Be Reckoned With.
The 2025 EuroLeague Final Four is not just another competition for Panathinaikos but an opportunity for them to stamp their dominance as the most successful club in this competition.
Last season, the Greek giants won the EuroLeague title, which was their seventh crown in this competition and their first since 2011. This means that they are the current defending champions, and going all the way to win the finals could be considered a historic achievement.
Season Snapshot: How Did They Fare?
Panathinaikos did manage to make some waves in the EuroLeague regular season. They finished in third place, which was a commendable finish for a team with a 22-12 record.
Their success was centered around their home-court advantage. The Greens were a force to be reckoned with at OAKA Arena as they finished with the best home record in the league (14-3).
Nothing much can be said about their away performance which failed to meet the required standards. They finished with an 8-9 record on the road.
Key Players: The Difference Makers.
Kendrick Nunn is the best-performing player for Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague . The former NBA guard has been racking up some impressive numbers for his team and could be a key asset in this competition. His performance index rating of 19.1 ranks him in sixth place in the leaderboard.
The numbers don't lie:
- Averaging 20.4 points per game.
- Shooting 40.4% from 3-point range
- Providing 4.3 assists per game
- Making 1 steal per game.
Juancho Hernangómez is also a name that needs to be watched out for in this competition. Hernangómez is averaging 10.1 points per game and 7 rebounds.
Head coach Ergin Ataman recently confirmed that Mathias Lessort is back from injury after fracturing his fibula back in December. Before the injury, Lessort was on fire, averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Road to the EuroLeague Final Four: Challenges Faced.
Panathinaikos faced a really difficult test in Anadolu Efes in a five-game series. It was a very tense affair to say, but the Greek giants conquered the series 3-2 to secure their spot in the EuroLeague Final Four.
Below is how the events unfolded:
- Game 1: They secured a narrow 87-83 triumph at home.
- Game 2: They narrowly lost 76-79 in the second consecutive home match.
- Game 3: They cruised to a comfortable 77-81 away victory.
- Game 4: They narrowly lost 85-82 in the second consecutive away game.
- Game 5: Their defense was worthy of praise in the deciding match as they won 75-67 in front of their home crowd.
Despite being stretched to Game 5, Panathinaikos were the ones who came out on top at the end of the day, indicating their competitiveness and hunger for success when pushed to the limit.
The same showing can be expected in the upcoming two games in the EuroLeague Final Four.
Semifinal Preview: Who Are Their Opponents?
Panathinaikos will face Fenerbahce in the semi-final this Friday at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.
Panathinaikos' dominance in this fixture has been well-reported. The Greens have won four straight games against their Turkish opponents, including two recent ones in the regular season.
This meeting is not just any game for Ergin Ataman's men but a revisit to last season's 73-57 win against the same opponent, Fenerbahce, in the EuroLeague Final Four.
A win here is likely to draw them closer to defending their crown in this competition while etching their name in history books. Waiting for them in the final could be the one who comes out on top in the match between Olympiacos and Monaco.
Team Comparison:
| List | Panathinaikos | Fenerbahce |
|---|---|---|
| Win-Loss Record | 22-12 (finished 3rd) | 23-11 (finished second) |
| Points Per Game | 87.3 | 83.8 |
| Opponent Points Allowed | 83.1 | 81 |
| Field Goal Percentage (FG%) | 49.7% | 46.1% |
| 3-point Range (3PT%) | 38.4% | 38.1% |
| Rebounds per Game | 38.3 | 35.4 |
| Turnovers per Game | 11.2 | 12.7 |
What's At Stake For The Greek Giants?
Panathinaikos doesn't need an introduction in this 2025 EuroLeague Final Four, as we all know that they are the defending champions in this competition. They won the crown last year, which was a historic scene for the club that ended a 13-year trophy drought.
The Greek Giants have transformed into a hungry, title-chasing team, and that's all thanks to the mentality head coach Ergin Ataman has instilled in them. There's also enough reason to believe they can defend their title this season and make it back-to-back titles for the first time in club history.
If they manage to pull off this feat, it could also see them become the second Greek club to win two consecutive EuroLeague titles. The first team to achieve this feat was Olympiacos in 2012 and 2013.
Head coach Ergin Ataman has a lot of experience when he comes to winning the EuroLeague titles. This competition has been Ataman's playground in recent years.
So far, his resume consists of three crowns. He won two consecutive titles with former club Anadolu Efes and, most recently, Panathinaikos to achieve what we call a rare "three-peat." Another title, which would be his fourth, could put him on the map as one of the most successful coaches in Europe.
