The return of rivalry: Panathinaikos vs. Real Madrid in Euroleague action

Panathinaikos (2-1) takes on Real Madrid (1-2) in the fourth round of the Euroleague. The last meeting between the two teams was on May 26, in the Euroleague final, where the Greek team triumphed with a 95-80 victory, making a historic comeback in Berlin. Panathinaikos had eliminated Fenerbahce in the semifinal, while Real Madrid defeated Olympiacos to reach the final.

Many familiar faces from that final will be present tonight, especially for Panathinaikos, which will field nine players who participated in the final, including Kalaitzakis, Sloukas, Grant, Nunn, Grigonis, Papapetrou, Hernangomez, Mitoglou, and Lessort.

On the Real Madrid side, players like Campazzo, Llull, Hezonja, Musa, Ndiaye, and Tavares will be available.

Coaches Ergin Ataman and Chus Mateo have met twice in the past few months, with the Turkish coach emerging victorious both in the final and in a previous matchup in Madrid, with a 97-86 win.

Panathinaikos is looking not only to secure a win tonight, which would keep them near the top of the standings but also to break two long-standing records. The “Greens” last achieved back-to-back away wins against Real Madrid in 2006 and secured three consecutive victories in 2007.

Both teams are in similar form, coming off recent Euroleague losses—Real Madrid to Baskonia and Panathinaikos to newcomer Paris. Both also lost their respective domestic Super Cup finals earlier in the season. So far, Panathinaikos has 5 wins and 2 losses, while Real Madrid, with 3 wins and 5 losses, is having one of its worst starts in recent history.

The post The return of rivalry: Panathinaikos vs. Real Madrid in Euroleague action appeared first on ProtoThema English.