Panathinaikos and Olympiacos’ EuroLeague Final Four dreams are on the line as they prepare for massive must-win contests against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Barcelona.
The two Greek basketball clubs have set up major deciders after tying up the best of five series 2-2 following wins in Game Four, ensuring they go the distance and settle their ties with a fifth and final game.
Panathinaikos hosts Maccabi Tel Aviv at OAKA Arena on Wednesday morning at 4.15am (AEST), and the Greens will be hopeful to use the momentum from their previous win to progress into the Final Four for the first time in 12 years.
The “Trifylli” narrowly upset the Israeli side 95-88 last Friday, keeping them alive in the series as they now aim to utilise their home advantage to qualify for the next stage.
Maccabi will take confidence from beating Panathinaikos in the opening clash of the series in Athens, proving the threat they pose even playing away.
The Greens will have to be at their best to ensure they do not exit the EuroLeague at the quarter-final stage, something coach Ergin Ataman admitted would be a great disappointment after finishing in second at the end of the regular season.
“Tomorrow will be a difficult game. I think that based on this season we deserve to be in this position (qualifying for Final Four). We played good basketball and finished in second, which is a great success for Panathinaikos. But we want more,” Ataman said to media ahead of the game.
Olympiacos is striving for a great feat as they look to beat Barcelona in Spain on Thursday morning at 5am.
Similar to Panathinaikos, the Reds scored an important success in the fourth game of their quarter-final tie, though theirs was far more impressive as they downed the Catalonians 92-58.
They will be desperate to emulate that performance as they look to upset Barcelona in front of their fans
Olympiacos will take confidence from having already beaten them at their home in the first game of this series, a result which they now need to replicate to stay alive in the tournament.
EuroLeague Game Five fixtures (AEST)
Panathinaikos-Maccabi Tel Aviv: 4.15am, Wed 08 May
Barcelona-Olympiacos: 5am, Thu 09 May
