Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos – Title on the line tonight at SEF

The excitement is palpable as Game 4 of the Greek Basket League Finals approaches, with Olympiacos set to clash with Panathinaikos at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF). Currently leading the series 2-1, a victory for Olympiacos tonight would secure them the championship title, while Panathinaikos is determined to force a decisive Game 5 at OAKA.

High Stakes Showdown

Olympiacos gained home-court advantage with a critical win in Game 2 and followed it up with an impressive performance at OAKA. They are just one win away from celebrating the championship trophy in front of their home fans. The Piraeus-based team is rallying supporters to showcase their passion respectfully, urging fair play and sportsmanship in a recent statement.

On the other hand, Panathinaikos, who went undefeated in the regular season with a record of 22-0, finds themselves on the brink of elimination. After winning the opening match of the series, they’ve faced two consecutive losses. Tonight presents their last opportunity to equalize the series and secure another home game in the potential Game 5.

Key Players Return

Both teams have faced challenges due to injuries and disciplinary issues but will compete in tonight’s game with nearly complete rosters:

• Olympiacos will be without French center Moustapha Fall, who is sidelined for a year due to a torn patellar tendon sustained in Game 3. Coach Giorgos Bartzokas will rely on Nikola Milutinov as the sole center available. On a positive note, Evan Fournier is cleared to play after receiving only a fine for a controversial gesture in Game 3.
• Panathinaikos will have Kendrick Nunn in the lineup, despite Olympiacos’ appeals for disciplinary action against him. Coach Ergin Ataman has opted to include Lorenzo Brown in the active roster, replacing Gabriel, for enhanced ball-handling and perimeter options.

The 12-Man Rosters

Olympiacos:
Walkup, Mitrou-Long, Lee, Dorsey, Larentzakis, Vildoza, Fournier, Papanikolaou, McKissic, Vezenkov, Peters, Milutinov

Panathinaikos:
Kalaitzakis, Brown, Moraitis, Sloukas, Osman, Samonturov, Papapetrou, Grant, Nunn, Hernangomez, Mitoglou, Yurtseven

The Referees

The officiating crew for Game 4 will consist of Papapetrou, Tsimpouris, and Tiganis. Notably, Papapetrou was also a referee in Game 3, leading Panathinaikos’ owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos to publicly question the federation’s judgment, though he specified he holds no personal grudges against the official.

Security and Crowd Guidelines

Olympiacos has issued strict guidelines for fans attending the game tonight. Entry will require personalized tickets along with matching ID, verified through the Gov.gr Wallet. The club has emphasized that any misconduct—such as flare use, offensive chants, or disruptive behavior—will be captured by high-resolution security cameras and penalized under the law.

To ensure smooth entry for the sold-out audience, parking procedures and gate opening times (starting at 18:30) have been clearly communicated.

What’s at Stake

For Olympiacos, this could be a night of triumph if they clinch the title on home soil. For Panathinaikos, it’s a matter of survival; a win would shift the pressure back onto Olympiacos and set the stage for an exhilarating Game 5 finale.