Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
Panathinaikos clinched its seventh European crown in dramatic fashion, staging a remarkable comeback from a 14-point deficit to defeat Real Madrid in the final showdown in Berlin on Sunday.
Despite a shaky start that saw them trailing by 11 points at the end of the first quarter, Panathinaikos rallied back, showcasing their trademark resilience and offensive prowess. Real Madrid initially extended their lead to 41-27, but the Greens refused to back down.
With a remarkable defensive turnaround and an unstoppable offensive onslaught, Panathinaikos narrowed the gap to just five points by halftime. The third quarter saw a complete reversal of fortunes, as the Greens tightened their defense to concede only seven points and surged ahead 58-56, seizing control of the game.
Throughout the second half, Panathinaikos contained Real Madrid's key players and capitalized on their frustration, building an insurmountable lead that stretched to 18 points by the final buzzer.
Coach Ergin Ataman's strategic guidance proved instrumental in steering Panathinaikos to victory, as they outplayed the Spanish giant with relentless determination.
In a separate match, Olympiakos secured third place with an 87-84 victory over Fenerbahce, led by standout performances from Alec Peters and Nigel Williams-Goss.
