Ολυμπιακός – Παναθηναϊκός: Στέψη ή παράταση

From 21:00 tonight (ERT3), Olympiakos will host Panathinaikos at the SEF as part of Game 4 in the Stoiximan GBL finals series. However, tensions are high following numerous statements, accusations, and posts from both teams after the conclusion of the third final at OAKA.

The Piraeus team took a significant step towards clinching the Basket League title by defeating Panathinaikos at OAKA on Friday night (June 6, 2025), with a score of 99-88, bringing the series to 2-1. The “reds” now need to secure a victory tonight to reclaim their position atop Greek basketball.

The third match was marked by intense emotions, several ejections, and moments of chaos. Most notably, it was overshadowed by the serious injury of Mustapha Fall, who, according to initial assessments, may be sidelined for approximately a year.

The hostile atmosphere that has pervaded this year’s finals between the two rivals seems to extend beyond the court. The rivalry has escalated to an administrative level, creating a volatile environment that is damaging to the sport’s integrity and image.

Following heightened tensions from the second match at SEF, the State intervened to help de-escalate the situation. Both clubs agreed to lower the intensity and finish the finals series in a spirit of sportsmanship.

Despite the shared commitment to calm, Game 3 illustrated that the situation is far from stable. Events on and off the court revealed that mere intentions are insufficient to transform the toxic environment that has developed.

The atmosphere at OAKA was tense from the start. Shortly before the game began, Panathinaikos’ Turkish coach, Ergin Ataman, refused to accept Olympiakos’ banner. The intensity peaked at the start of the fourth quarter with an altercation between Evan Fournier and Kendrick Nunn.

After an unsportsmanlike foul by Nunn against the Frenchman, Fournier moved threateningly towards the Euroleague MVP. Fortunately, cooler heads intervened, calming tensions among the players. However, Fournier later engaged with individuals in the courtside seats, and following an inappropriate gesture, the situation escalated further as fans entered the court. He received a technical foul and was ejected (having already committed an unsportsmanlike foul).

In a dramatic turn, with just 43 seconds remaining, Kendrick Nunn was also ejected for protesting a call by referee Theonas, joined by Ergin Ataman, who received another technical foul.

Ongoing War of Statements and Allegations

Despite the commitments for calm, the situation has only escalated. After the conclusion of the game, Panathinaikos’ chairman, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, claimed that Olympiakos coach Giorgos Bartzokas verbally “attacked” his daughter, Despina. “How lucky you are that I’m not there,” he wrote in an Instagram story. Shortly after, Panathinaikos issued a statement placing blame on the Government for events that transpired at OAKA.

Panathinaikos – Olympiakos: GM of Olympiakos, Nikos Lepeniotis, Describes “Jungle Conditions” – “We Faced Unprecedented Intimidation”

Simultaneously, Olympiakos General Manager Nikos Lepeniotis described “jungle conditions” and intimidation faced by the Olympiakos delegation at OAKA while commenting on ERT’s coverage.

After the third final, the GM stated on ERT: “This was a significant victory for our team, but unfortunately, what we experienced today cannot go unaddressed. We faced unprecedented intimidation! Starting from the lack of respect from Panathinaikos’ coach at the start of the game, he ended up being ejected without shaking hands with the winners. What happened after the game was a scene of utter chaos! We were attacked at our bench, and the bullying was so severe that even a prosecutor told a member of our staff: ‘I’m leaving too, because I’m scared!’

Fans stormed the court, threw advertising boards at Fournier, and individuals from the courtside seats entered the playing area. In the tunnel, we faced insults and shoves from people who appeared out of nowhere. Events like this haven’t occurred in years.

We came here to play basketball. We leave as winners but faced a situation that reflects poorly on the sport and both great teams. I don’t know how many reports were filed in the game sheet, but it surely exceeded five. The arena should have been evacuated. The atmosphere was truly like a jungle. I’m very sorry!

We await our great rival at SEF, with our fans by our side. We have great respect for Panathinaikos and want to play a beautiful game where the best team wins. Lastly, I was informed that ERT’s coverage was biased. I heard that what was happening was never shown. I would urge the ERT management to personally investigate and take necessary actions.

KAE Olympiakos: “Punish the Hooligans Who Attacked Fournier and Bartzokas”

Upon their return to SEF, greeted warmly by their fans, Olympiakos KAE issued an official statement condemning the events at OAKA and announced they would publicize materials and pursue legal actions.

In its statement, Olympiakos KAE announced plans to present extensive audiovisual material from the OAKA game, emphasizing that they would take all necessary legal actions to prosecute those responsible for attacking Evan Fournier and Giorgos Bartzokas. It also mentioned “dirty play” by Kendrick Nunn, for which evidence would be presented.

Olympiakos KAE Statement:

“KAE OLYMPIAKOS informs that tomorrow, once a sense of calm returns to all sides, we will present extensive material from OAKA and take all necessary actions to ensure that the hooligans who attacked Evan Fournier and Giorgos Bartzokas face justice under sports law.

Moreover, there will be rich material documenting the provocations and the dirty play of Kendrick Nunn.

No matter how much they try and provoke, SEF will be as it should be on Sunday night to support our team to victory.

To describe the absurd theatre we’ve been witnessing these past days, two words come to mind: pity and shame.

Wave of Allegations and Statements

Hours later, on the eve of Game 4, the atmosphere between the rivals remains tense. Panathinaikos KAE issued a statement against Olympiakos and Evan Fournier, claiming that no party has publicly condemned the Frenchman’s obscene gesture.

Dimitris Giannakopoulos: “I’m Curious to See If Fournier Will Be Punished”

Later, in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon (June 7), Dimitris Giannakopoulos commented on Evan Fournier’s gesture during Game 3 of the Stoiximan GBL on Friday night (June 6), questioning whether the French player would be sanctioned ahead of the fourth final scheduled for Sunday (June 8) at SEF.

Specifically, the Panathinaikos chairman stated, “Mr. Papapetrou, the excellent referee, without joking, didn’t eject Fournier for showing his genitals and I won’t elaborate, as it’s vulgar and there are people and children who follow me, but he kicked him out with a technical foul and something else is noted in the game report.

“All of Greece saw. I was penalized for an obscene gesture, which is recorded in the report; this one wasn’t. I’m very curious to see if the Athletic Judge, the State, or anyone else will allow Fournier not to be punished for tomorrow. I’m quite curious.”

Two Statements from Olympiakos

Similar actions were taken by Olympiakos KAE, which issued two statements on Saturday afternoon.

In one statement, Olympiakos KAE declared: “KAE Olympiakos has filed a complaint against KAE Panathinaikos for a double assault on Giorgos Bartzokas, both at halftime and at the end of the game.

Specifically, at halftime, an individual seated near the arena’s tunnel shoved him, while another individual appeared to make an obscene gesture towards him.

At the end of the game, an object was thrown towards the Olympiakos coach from the exact spot.

All video evidence is available to the Greek police, which has been asked to verify the individuals involved and take all necessary actions towards Greek justice under sports law.

In the other statement, the Piraeus team condemned Kendrick Nunn’s “dirty play.”

The detailed announcement reads:

The unsportsmanlike foul by Kendrick Nunn on Evan Fournier, which surprisingly went unpunished with ejection, was the culmination of his unsportsmanlike behavior throughout the game.

The individual who made an obscene gesture towards Olympiakos fans during the last home game of the two teams in Euroleague continued to strike our players surreptitiously throughout the match.

The following video and photos reveal how “dirty” he played before threatening referee Giorgos Theonas at the game’s end.

Decisions on Penalties Today

As mentioned before, the third final was marred by the unacceptable reactions of Evan Fournier and Kendrick Nunn, along with the entrance of Panathinaikos fans from the courtside seats, following the Frenchman’s obscene gesture. The Athletic Judge of E.S.A.K.E. will take action regarding what transpired at the Olympic Sports Hall in Marousi.

According to ERT, the decisions will be announced today, Sunday, June 8, at least two hours prior to Game 4 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (21:00, ERT3). We will see whether both teams will play with their stars in this matchup and if any sanctions will be imposed on OAKA.