By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Before focusing on the Playoffs of Greece’s Stoiximan Basket League and from there to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, Panathinaikos Aktor defeated Aris Midea, 80-68, in Nick Galis Hall on Monday.
Highlighting the Regular Season finale, Olek Balcerowski put up 17 points, a new individual best across all competitions in the 2023-24 campaign. The Polish center made 6/8 from the field and also grabbed nine rebounds.
In his first start with Panathinaikos, Alexandros Samodurov chipped in six points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block over a game-high 33 minutes. “Samodurov has a great quality. Next season, we will use him more,” head coach Ergin Ataman talked about the 19-year-old forward.
After teams were split between the upper and lower table to finish the Regular Season, the Greens completed the Top 6 with a 26-1 record. Top seed on the postseason bracket and homecourt advantage was already secured.
Panagiotis Kalaitzakis (illness), Kostas Sloukas (right calf), Kostas Antetokounmpo (personal), and Juancho Hernangomez (left calf) did not make the trip to Thessaloniki.
Games 1 and 2, across the Quarterfinals, are set to be played Wednesday through Monday, including the Greens welcoming PAOK mateco in OAKA on Thursday and returning to Thessaloniki and playing in PAOK Sports Arena on Saturday.
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
A – Panathinaikos Aktor – PAOK mateco
B – Promitheas – Aris Midea
C – Olympiacos – AEK Betsson
D – Peristeri bwin – Kolossos H Hotels
Semifinals (best-of-three)
Winners A-B
Winners C-D
Third-place (single game)
Losers of Semifinals
Finals (best-of-five)
Winners of Semifinals