Olympiacos eliminated Real Madrid in the 2025 EuroLeague Playoffs, following back-to-back years of the Spanish side ending the Greek team's hearts at the Final Four.

Olympiacos lays ghosts to rest and now wants to finish the job

First came that Sergio Llull mid-range jumper over Moustapha Fall to clinch the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship for Real Madrid in Kaunas. Then an elimination at the hands of *Los Blancos* followed in last season’s semifinal in Berlin. This time, Olympiacos Piraeus had to deal with the ghosts of the past in an epic playoff matchup against the 11-time European champion, despite dominating the regular season and finishing top of the standings.

The series between the two EuroLeague powerhouses promised to be one for the ages, and both sides delivered on the floor in each of the four games.

“I think the series really embodies what EuroLeague basketball is all about,” forward [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) said in the press conference after [Olympiacos’s win in Game 4](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-books-final-four-ticket-with-84-86-game-3-win-over-real-madrid/). “Great atmosphere, great basketball, unpredictable things happening. I think that this series had everything, apart from one more game.”

The series kicked off with a dominant Olympiacos taking a 47-29 lead into the second half of Game 1. Yet, Real Madrid showed what it’s made of and won both of the last two quarters. [*Los Blancos* lost the game, 84-72](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-takes-care-of-real-madrid-84-72-in-game-1/), but the message was sent loud and clear: this battle would not be over soon.

Real Madrid hit the ground running in Game 2 and led 15-25 after 10 minutes. An Olympiacos comeback [saw the hosts grab a 77-71 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-outlasts-real-madrid-77-71-for-a-2-0-lead-in-the-series/), but the Reds were up by just 3 points (67-64) heading into crunch time.

Having edged past Real Madrid in Game 2, the Greek side arrived in the Spanish capital looking to finish the series off. But it wouldn't be that simple.

Real Madrid’s defense suffocated Olympiacos in Game 3, with the hosts leading 72-62 midway through the fourth quarter. The visitors bounced back with a 0-8 run, but Chus Mateo’s team showed resilience in the closing stages, [grabbing an 80-72 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-beats-olympiacos-80-72-in-game-3-to-trim-series-deficit/).

“Honestly, they made it super tough,” Peters said. “Every time you look at your playoff matchup and you see that you’re playing Real Madrid for a five-game series, I don’t care who you are, you know it’s not going to be easy. And it wasn’t.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FINAL FOUR OLY! ⚪️🔴👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympiacos_BC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/qNdWMUXkJD">pic.twitter.com/qNdWMUXkJD</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1918078169506299940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And then came Game 4. With Real Madrid determined to take the series back to Piraeus and Olympiacos feeling confident that they can close it out, the first half of Thursday’s contest was a back-and-forth affair between two of the most historic teams in the competition.

Olympiacos dominated after the break and even secured a 67-82 cushion with six and a half minutes left on the clock. While many teams would have waved the white flag, Real Madrid resisted, bringing back those ghosts of the past.

With the last shot of the game, Alberto Abalde was just a few inches away from netting a three-pointer that would have given EuroLeague fans a memorable Game 5, but it wasn’t to be. Olympiacos finally got the monkey off its back and has now clinched its fourth straight passage to the Final Four.

“Everybody who’s been with this group for the last few years understands that Real Madrid has ended our season and that sticks with you,” Peters continued. “You can try to let it go, you can move past it and get ready for the game. Every season is a new season, but I think we understand that this team has had our number the last couple of years and it feels really good to be on the other end of it and to have the circumstances of winning this game and going to the Final Four.

“I think with the history of the last couple of years, it feels good knowing that you had two of the biggest clubs in the EuroLeague going against each other in the playoffs. Whoever comes out of that is going to feel really rewarded and feel really good about themselves because I think that this is a matchup that everybody wants to see. And, of course, it had some really high-level basketball.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Presidents of Olympiacos BC, Panayotis and Georgios Angelopoulos, along with Sasha Vezenkov, were cheered by the fans waiting for the team outside the Movistar Arena in Madrid.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/2dC9P5jxqG">pic.twitter.com/2dC9P5jxqG</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1918070677820641323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With this epic series having come to an end, Olympiacos can begin its preparations for the Final Four, which takes place in Abu Dhabi from 23–25 May. And as Peters stressed after Thursday’s clash, the Reds are ready to finally bring it home.

“There is a lot of time between now and the Final Four,” he said. “That’s the difficult part of the schedule. We’re so energetic right now that we wish it was next week. But that’s not reality. We have to regroup and get ready in a few weeks to go to Abu Dhabi and do what we haven’t done these last years and that’s finish up the job.”

Game News

The Reds edged past Real Madrid to seal its fourth straight Final Four participation

Real Madrid v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-05-01T19:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos BC captain Kostas Papanikolaou stepped up late to ensure his team left Madrid with a series victory in the EuroLeague Playoffs, which booked the team's place at the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi.

Red-hot Kostas Papanikolaou turned the tide for Olympiacos in closeout Game 4

Sasha Vezenkov and Evan Fournier might be the two superstars who have been stealing the limelight game in, game out, but [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) showed on Thursday night why he is the true leader of [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/). 

The veteran forward struggled to rediscover his form in the first three games of the series, recording 4, 0 and 2 points, respectively. He made all his 3 attempts from inside but went 0 for 4 from beyond the arc and registered 4 turnovers, not being able to contribute on either side of the floor.

But then the moment came when Papanikolaou demonstrated his captain's credentials – and it was when Olympiacos needed him most. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Four, here we come!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/ThzdjtaKXJ">pic.twitter.com/ThzdjtaKXJ</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1918064381365047490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Real Madrid led throughout the first two quarters, taking a 47-42 cushion into the second half. Yet, Olympiacos kicked off the third quarter with a 2-11 run that gave them a 49-53 edge.

Papanikolaou made his first triple of the series for a 51-58 cushion but, boosted by the crowd, Real Madrid fought back and trimmed the deficit to 65-68 heading into the fourth. The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season leader was just 10 minutes away from securing the victory, and Papanikolaou did not seem willing to miss out on the opportunity of sealing his eighth Final Four appearance.

The Greek international stepped up big time, netting two three-pointers as the Reds went on a 0-11 surge to start the closing quarter. Dzanan Musa hit a couple of free throws in his bid to end Olympiacos’s momentum, but Papanikolaou drilled yet another three, this time in front of Musa, who fouled his Olympiacos counterpart.

“A huge performance from \[Papanikolaou\],” Georgios Bartzokas said in the postgame press conference. “Apart from the last one that was a three-pointer and foul, the other three shots that he made were a very good decision after ball movement, good execution and finding the open man. He’s really the leader of the team. He made this step-up in the third quarter to help the team come back and believe in ourselves more.”

Papanikolaou’s last triple gave the guests a 67-82 cushion and despite Real Madrid’s late comeback attempt, the visitors managed to secure a hard-fought victory at Movistar Arena.

Fournier netted a game-high 23 points and Vezenkov nailed a triple from way downtown in crunch time to offer his team a huge boost in morale, but it was Olympiacos’s captain general who blew the horn to summon the troopers for the last charge. 

The war against an unyielding Real Madrid was won, with Papanikolaou making sure that he played a key role in the last battle.

The Reds’ captain nailed some important triples when his team needed him most

Olympiacos Piraeus has secured its fourth straight passage to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four after beating Real Madrid 84-86 at Movistar Arena on Thursday night. 

Olympiacos books Final Four ticket with 84-86 Game 3 win over Real Madrid

Olympiacos Piraeus has secured its fourth straight passage to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four after beating Real Madrid 84-86 at Movistar Arena on Thursday night. The hosts started strong and led throughout the first half, but a 2-11 surge to start the third quarter gave the Reds a cushion that they maintained until the final buzzer, despite Real Madrid’s comeback attempt in crunch time.

Evan Fournier led all scorers with 23 points and Kostas Papanikolaou recorded 12, of which 9 came on three huge three-pointers early in the fourth quarter. Sasha Vezenkov and Nigel Williams-Goss netted 10 each. Mario Hezonja paced Real Madrid with 21 points, Mario Hezonja had 12 and Sergio Llull bagged 11.

Game Videos

Alberto Abalde and Hezonja netted a triple each to get Real Madrid going before a basket from the latter made it 8-4 early in the game. Then, inside scores by Walter Tavares, Abalde and Andres Feliz allowed *Los Blancos* to secure a 14-8 cushion. Fournier and Hezonja traded triples, with Bruno Fernando netting back-to-back buckets for a 19-11 lead. Yet, Moustapha Fall and Nikola Milutinov opened their accounts, cutting the difference to 21-16 after 10 minutes.

Alec Peters opened the second quarter with 5 straight points, but Llull and Hugo Gonzalez drilled a triple each to maintain a 31-25 advantage. Then, Facundo Campazzo nailed one from downtown before 5 points in a row by Hezonja opened a 43-34 lead. Moses Wright connected with the basket off the bench before baskets from Fournier and Saben Lee brought Olympiacos within 45-40. Musa nailed a hard-fought layup, but Fournier responded on the other end, as Real Madrid took a 47-42 cushion into halftime.

Olympiacos hit the ground running in the second half, with Fournier inspiring the visitors to a 2-11 run. Hezonja slammed home a dunk, but a Fall basket was followed by a triple from Kostas Papanikolaou, who made it 51-58. Feliz replied from inside, but a Fournier three-pointer allowed the guests to maintain a 53-60 lead. Hezonja and Feliz netted back-to-back buckets, but Sasha Vezenkov woke up by scoring his first 7 points of the night, 62-67. Then, Feliz responded with a corner triple that brought Real Madrid within 65-68 heading into the closing quarter.

It rained triples in the opening stages of the fourth, as Papanikolaou nailed two and Vildoza drilled one of his own to make it 65-77. Olympiacos’s 0-11 surge was put to an end by Musa, who made 2 of 2 from the line, 67-79. Papanikolaou drained another three, but the hosts responded with a 9-0 surge inspired by Campazzo, who nailed a triple that brought his team within 78-82. Vezenkov replied with one from way downtown, but Musa and Abalde scored inside, trimming the deficit 82-85. Then, Campazzo hit a couple of free throws, however Abalde missed from three-point distance as Olympiacos clinched the victory.

A solid third quarter allowed the Reds to escape from Movistar Arena with the series-clinching victory

Olympiacos BC has booked its ticket to the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four, which is the fourth year in succession that the Reds have made it to European basketball's showpiece event.

Olympiacos reaches Final Four for fourth straight year

A memorable season for [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) keeps getting better.

While the club’s 100th anniversary celebrations continue, the basketball team is doing its best to make a historic year even more memorable, having beaten Real Madrid 3-1 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs to reach the 2025 Final Four, the fourth year in succession that the Reds will be playing at European basketball’s showpiece event.

Olympiacos made history last year by advancing to its third Final Four in a row, having previously only reached two successive Final Fours three times before (1994, 1995; 2009, 2010; 2012, 2013). Now coach Georgios Bartzokas’s squad will be eager to lift its first EuroLeague title since 2013.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here we come Abu Dhabi!!!!!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMBOLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMBOLY</a> <a href="https://t.co/AnBfwSbc9q">pic.twitter.com/AnBfwSbc9q</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1918048265418723839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Olympiacos’s Final Four history

In the modern EuroLeague era, this is the 10th time that Olympiacos has advanced to the Final Four. Its previous Final Four appearances came in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Olympiacos has tied Real Madrid for the third most trips to the Final Four in the modern EuroLeague era, but it still trails CSKA Moscow (17) and FC Barcelona (12).

Coach Bartzokas’s men ended a five-year wait to return to the Final Four in 2022, with Olympiacos coming ever so close ever since. A Vasilije Micic three-pointer at the buzzer sent Anadolu Efes Istanbul into the 2022 championship game at the Reds’ expense in 2022, then Sergio Llull broke the hearts of Olympiacos’s supporters with his game-winning jumper in 2023 title decider. Last year, Real Madrid returned to haunt Olympiacos at the 2024 Final Four, this time winning in less dramatic circumstances in the semifinals.

### How many EuroLeague titles have Olympiacos won?

To date, Olympiacos has lifted two EuroLeague titles in the modern era, which came in 2012 and 2013 when it became just the second team to go back-to-back after Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2004, 2005). Since then, Anadolu Efes Istanbul is the only team to go back-to-back, doing so in 2021 and 2022.

Prior to the modern EuroLeague era, Olympiacos also became the European champion in 1997.

### Which Olympiacos players have won the EuroLeague before?

Team captain [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) was a part of Olympiacos’s two successive title triumphs in 2012 and 2013, while [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) lifted the 2023 title with Real Madrid, and [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) hoisted the 2024 trophy as a member of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) also became a EuroLeague champion with CSKA Moscow in 2019.

### Who is heading to their first Final Four?

Olympiacos has a roster that knows what to expect at the Final Four, but it has three players who have never been here before in [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/), [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) and [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/).

Never before have the Reds made it to four Final Fours in a row

The MVP of the Round honor for Game 3 of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs is shared between FC Barcelona’s Willy Hernangomez, who is a first-time winner of the award, and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens’s Kendrick Nunn, for whom this is his fifth MVP of the Round prize.

Playoffs Game 3 co-MVPs: Willy Hernangomez, Kendrick Nunn

The MVP of the Round honor for Game 3 of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs is shared between [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/)’s [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), who is a first-time winner of the award, and [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/)’s [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), for whom this is his fifth MVP of the Round prize.

Both Hernangomez and Nunn finished with a 31 PIR, the highest among winning players in Game 3. In the case of Hernangomez, his 31 PIR is a career high. The Spaniard posted 19 points on 8-of-9 two-pointers and 3-of-4 free throws, 10 rebounds, 1 steal and 5 fouls drawn as Barcelona beat AS Monaco 100-89 to reduce the series deficit to 2-1. Nunn, meanwhile, amassed 25 points on 9-of-13 two-pointers and 7-of-7 free throws, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 6 fouls drawn in Panathinaikos’s 77-81 win at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which gave the Greens a 2-1 series lead.

The highest PIR recorded in Game 3 belonged to Monaco’s [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who had a 33 PIR, but it came in a losing effort. James recorded 20 points on 3-of-5 two-pointers, 4-of-8 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws, 5 rebounds, 12 assists and 4 fouls drawn.

In fourth place is Olympiacos Piraeus’s [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/), who had a 26 PIR in the Reds’ 80-72 defeat at Real Madrid. Vezenkov finished with 21 points on 7-of-11 two-pointers, 2-of-7 threes and 1-of-1 free throws, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 3 fouls drawn.

Rounding out the list of top performers from Game 3 is Panathinaikos forward [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/), who had a season-high 25 PIR in his team’s win at Efes. Mitoglou posted 18 points on 3-of-6 two-pointers and 4-of-5 threes, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 3 fouls drawn.

### Individual highs: Dan Oturu, Efes, 5 blocks

[TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) of Paris Basketball led all scorers in Game 3 with 29 points. Panathinaikos star Kendrick Nunn averages a league-best 20.8 points per game.

Barcelona’s Willy Hernangomez pulled down 10 rebounds in Game 3, the most of any player. His brother, [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) of Panathinaikos, leads the league in rebounding with 6.9 boards per game.

Mike James of Monaco dished 12 assists in Game 3, the most in this round of the playoffs. [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) is top of the assists charts with 7.3 dimes per contest.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul’s [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/) led the way with 3 steals in Game 3. FC Bayern Munich’s [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) averaged 1.5 steals per night this season.

[Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) of Efes blocked 5 shots in Game 3, the joint most of any player in the 2025 playoffs. Monaco’s [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) averages a league-high 1.4 blocks per game.

Mike James (20 points, 12 assists) and Willy Hernangomez (19 points, 10 rebounds) were the only players to record a double-double in Game 3.

FC Barcelona v AS Monaco (2025-04-30T17:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-04-30T17:45:00.000Z)

Kendrick Nunn returned to form in Game 3 as Panathinaikos BC beat Anadolu Efes to take a 2-1 lead in their EuroLeague playoff series.

Coach Ataman hails mature Nunn performance ahead of Game 4 blockbuster

Reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champ [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) is on the cusp of sealing a return to the Final Four after the competition’s top performer [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) produced a vintage display to give the Greek giant a 2-1 lead against Anadolu Efes Istanbul in their quarterfinal playoff series.

The two teams meet again in Game 4 on Friday and after coming through a bruising encounter to grind out [a 77-81 road win in Game 3](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-beats-efes-77-81-in-game-3-to-edge-closer-to-final-four/), the Greens will be hopeful of punching their ticket for the May 23-25 showpiece event in Abu Dhabi.

Having endured a pair of torrid tests of his credentials in the opening two games when the rivals shared the spoils, Panathinaikos guard Nunn finally caught fire in Game 3 as he poured in 25 points, drawing praise from his head coach Ergin Ataman.

“Nunn is a great player and he understands that he needs to move the ball when he’s got two or three players marking him aggressively. In critical situations he attacked the basket superbly and was able to score 25 points,” Ataman told the postgame press conference after seeing his team fend off a fierce Efes onslaught in the fourth quarter.

“Once again, it was a great game between these two teams. Our offense started to work much better when [\[Kostas\] Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) came on to the court in the second quarter as we scored 25 points in that period and gained confidence. In the third, Efes kept playing aggressive defense on Nunn but this time he found a way to move the ball and we were able to take control of the game,” the Turkish tactician added.

Panathinaikos looked in trouble after Efes found another gear in the final 10 minutes to wipe out a 13-point deficit, but the holders showed the mettle and resolve akin only to the royalty of European club basketball as they weathered the storm.

The visitors thrived on a huge contribution from power forward [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/), who buried a clutch three-pointer to give Panathinaikos a 74-79 lead before Nunn sealed victory with a pair of free throws in the dying seconds.

Ataman acknowledged his team would take nothing for granted ahead of Game 4 with Efes showing the ability to bounce back from any kind of adversity.  

“In the last quarter we gave away some turnovers, offensive rebounds and last-gasp shots, putting the game on the line,” Ataman said. “Ultimately, we were able to find points through Nunn and win the game. Still, it’s only 2-1 and we know that Efes will continue to fight as they are a great team playing outstanding basketball.”

It was a tough loss for Efes head coach Luca Banchi, who hoped that his team would turn the series on its head after rallying from a similar deficit to win Game 2 in Athens, 76-79, levelling the series after Panathinaikos had won the opening clash 87-83.

The Italian tactician revealed that towering center [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) got limited time on the court on Wednesday after picking up an injury in Game 2. Poirier did not feature in the second half of Game 3 as he only netted 2 points, both of them from the foul line in 16 first-half minutes, which allowed Panathinaikos to grab a barrage of offensive rebounds. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EFES vs PANATHINAIKOS Postgame conference is live now! 👀<br>Tune in here to hear from the coaches &amp; players of both teams <a href="https://t.co/2433Dnh9V5">https://t.co/2433Dnh9V5</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1917676601447256293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Banchi was adamant that his men would recuperate for the do-or-die Game 4, with [PJ Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/) also nursing a sore hand as the grueling series takes its toll amid plenty of physical contact throughout. 

“Unfortunately, Vince suffered an injury during Game 2 which cost him in preparations for Game 3 and we saw during the game that he wasn’t moving as well as he normally does,” Banchi stressed.

“I am sure we will be able to compete again in 48 hours regardless of the fatigue, the level of our opponent and the frustration with the tough loss we suffered. We will bounce back.

“We want to grow and improve as a team in the series because we know we are facing the defending champions. They came into the Istanbul part of the series with great desire and focus to avenge the one defeat they suffered in Athens but I believe we are responding well to adversity. There is room for improvement and that’s why we have to stay calm,” added Banchi, whose team steamrolled into the playoffs after winning their last eight regular-season games to jump from bottom-half doldrums into the postseason.

In order to keep their Final Four hopes alive, Banchi’s men will have to show every bit of that resolve in order to tie the series and take it back to Athens for a Game 5 tiebreaker. 

The regular season’s top scorer and MVP lifted Panathinaikos to a crunch Game 3 victory against Efes

Injuries have not been an excuse for FC Barcelona, which downed AS Monaco Basket in Game 3 to breathe new life into their playoff series.

Barcelona keeps turning problems into opportunities – now its all to play for in Game 4

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) has had a troubled season when it comes to injuries. After playing less than 10 minutes in Game 2 of his team's playoff series against AS Monaco, former EuroLeague MVP [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) returned to Barca's injury list, joining [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/), [Juan Nunez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juan-nunez/010106/) and [Chimezie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/). Its only mid-season signing, playmaker Raul Neto, played just three minutes and 33 seconds this season.

In Game 3, head coach [Joan Penarroya](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/penarroya-joan?season=E2024) had three U18 players on his team's 12-man roster in [Raul Villar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/raul-villar/012317/), [Sayon Keita](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sayon-keita/012885/) and [Mathieu Grujicic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathieu-grujicic/012103/). Coach Penarroya managed to find the right response back at Palau Blaugrana, despite consecutive double-digit losses in Monaco, by doing what his team has done all season: turn problems into opportunities with a next-man-up mentality.

[Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dario-brizuela/009992/) had never played point guard before this season and is now excelling at it. Since Nunez got injured ahead of Round 27, Brizuela has been able to distribute the ball better without losing his scoring punch, making the most out of his extended playing time. 

He had twice as many assists (24) than turnovers (12) in eight regular-season games without Nunez. In Game 3, Brizuela posted 14 points, 4 assists and just 2 turnovers in less than 17 minutes, missing just one shot, and had 10 of those points in the first half, with star guard [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) going scoreless.

FC Barcelona star guard Kevin Punter eventually found his scoring much, scoring all of his 14 points in the second half while also taking good care of the ball, finishing the game with five assists and just one turnover in Game 3 of his team's playoffs series against AS Monaco.

Punter steps up after the break

Punter eventually found his groove, netting all 14 of his points in the second half while also taking good care of the ball, finishing the game with 5 assists and just 1 turnover. After hitting 41.3% of his three-point shots in regular-season action, Punter is 4 of 17 from beyond the arc (23.5% 3FG) in the series against Monaco. 

That said, Punter is finding ways to help his team, hitting all 16 of his free-throw attempts while averaging 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 5.7 fouls drawn.

"First and foremost, we wanted to protect home court, and it was a must-win \[game\] for us, so I just wanted to be focused and locked in," Punter said. "We have to stay focused, take it one game at a time."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">GRÀCIES PEL VOSTRE SUPORT, PALAU!!! 💪💙❤️ <a href="https://t.co/Fo8nK2Gfbi">pic.twitter.com/Fo8nK2Gfbi</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1917665259135066610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Before Punter took matters into his own hands, Barcelona used a mammoth 17-0 run to get the lead early in the second quarter. Barca held Monaco scoreless for more than five minutes and with Vesely sidelined, [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) proved why he is one of the best per-minute scorers in the competition. He had 6 points in that run, joining forces with [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-parra/007464/) and [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/) to put Barca ahead for good, 41-27. Hernagomez had 19 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3, giving Barca the frontcourt threat it needed.

"We improved our energy and our rhythm and our defensive situations \[in the second quarter\], and I think we deserved to win the game," Coach Penarroya said after the game. "It is a good result but the most important thing for us tonight is to rest well and prepare for the next game. The playoffs are finished when a team arrives to three wins."

Injuries have not been an excuse for FC Barcelona, which continues to fight through adversity


Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 39th winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! George Kleidonas beat everyone else in Game 3 of the EuroLeague Playoffs with his team 'PAO94', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 211.35.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Playoffs Game 3 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 39th winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! George Kleidonas beat everyone else in Game 3 of the EuroLeague Playoffs with his team 'PAO94', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 211.35.

George had the following starting lineup: Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus as team captain, then Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Mike James of AS Monaco, Nigel Hayes-Davis of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, and Willy Hernangomez of FC Barcelona. His sixth man was Alberto Abalde of Real Madrid. The rest of the bench consisted of Barcelona's Kevin Punter, Real Madrid's Eli Ndiaye, Panathinaikos's Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, and Olympiacos's Tyler Dorsey. His team's head coach was Barcelona play-caller Joan Penarroya.

The prize for finishing first in Round 39 is a free VIP Euroleague TV subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, George!

Marko Djukic and his team 'Kughat' remains the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 6,679.89 points.

Trades are now open for the 40th round of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/), which is Game 4 of the EuroLeague Playoffs, and there are an unlimited number of trades.

The first game of Game 4 tips off on Thursday, May 1 at 21:00 CEST as Real Madrid hosts Olympiacos, marking the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 

Kendrick Nunn and Konstantinos Mitoglou were the star men for Panathinaikos BC as it beat Anadolu Efes in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in its series in the EuroLeague Playoffs.

Nunn and Mitoglou bounced back to carry Panathinaikos at Efes in Game 3

Harried and hustled out of his rhythm in the opening two playoff games against [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/), [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) came back with a vengeance in Game 3 to inspire reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champs [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/).

Nunn poured in a game-high 25 points to give the competition’s holder [a huge 77-81 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-beats-efes-77-81-in-game-3-to-edge-closer-to-final-four/) over the home team and a 2-1 lead in the series ahead of Friday’s potentially decisive Game 4, with a win guaranteeing the Greek giant a berth at the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi.

Unlike in Game 1 and 2, when he was clearly rattled by relentlessly aggressive defense from his markers, Nunn did not force the issue from three-point range this time. Instead of firing a barrage of tough shots from deep, having made just 4 of 16 in the opening two acts, Nunn relied on his enviable ball-handling skills to hurt Efes from inside.

The livewire guard weaved his way through traffic to sink one layup after another as well as some sweet mid-range jumpers, complementing that with a perfect 7 of 7 from the foul line to drive the Greens to the verge of promised land.

In his postgame comments, Nunn – who shot 9 of 13 from two-point range – acknowledged the bruising encounter was set to produce more thrills and spills, with all three games played so far going down to the wire and keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout.    

“The last stretch was tough,” said Nunn. “It was a battle, they made a run and it really came down to the last two minutes of the game. We didn’t get as many stops as we wanted but we converted on the offensive end and knocked down some crunch free throws.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Family moments 💚<br><br>Full content on CLUB 1908 📲<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn">https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToAbuDhabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/vKUuaq8zbM">pic.twitter.com/vKUuaq8zbM</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1917682681866805374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/), who netted a season-high 18 points after being scorned by his head coach Ergin Ataman that he needed to step up following a tough 76-79 home loss in Game 2, came up big as he drained a clutch three in the final minute which game the visiting team a 74-79 lead.

Mitoglou conceded that there was no room for error against an opponent as tenacious as Efes, with the home side rallying from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter before it was forced into submission in a heart-stopping finale.  

“We headed into the game aggressively and made all the right decisions to take a 13-point lead but Efes then came right back at us and one or two mistakes at our end was all it took for them to bounce back,” the power forward elaborated. “We expect the next game to be even tougher but our goal is to win it. I was confident taking those long-range shots, it’s something I work on every day,” added Mitoglou, who was 4 of 5 from downtown.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">W ☘️💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToAbuDhabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/gKtrq6YcHG">pic.twitter.com/gKtrq6YcHG</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1917674869371609407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ataman, too, was pleased with his team’s valiant effort and the fact that the Greens stood firm in the wake of a ferocious Efes onslaught in the fourth quarter.

“We played a perfect game until the last quarter, but then again it’s not easy in the last quarter on the road,” said the Turkish tactician, who lifted back-to-back EuroLeague titles with Efes in 2021 and 2022.

“Efes played aggressive defense on the pick and roll so we made a lot of turnovers and they also hit some incredible shots. It’s a big win for us because Efes is an extremely good team and all the games in the series have been very tough. We are 2-1 up now but it’s not over and we’ll try to win on Friday again to qualify for the Final Four.”  

The home team’s head coach Luca Banchi was only too aware that simple errors in the home straight cost battling Efes, which must now win Game 4 to stay alive: “Another tough game in the series decided by fine margins and we know we have to be very demanding to ourselves because every single mistake can be punished,” he stated.

If the opening three chapters are anything to go by, Friday’s encounter is set to produce another epic clash between these two heavyweights.  

The duo recovered from poor performances in Game 2 to engineer a massive road win in Istanbul