Euroleague challengers challenged in the league

By George Georgakopoulos

A few days after sealing their entry to the quarterfinals of the Euroleague, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos had a relatively hard time beating their opponents in the Greek league as they brace for their clash on Thursday for the last round of Euroleague games.

Panathinaikos visited PAOK and emerged victorious with an 82-71 score on Sunday for its 23rd consecutive victory in the championship, while Olympiakos defeated a challenging KAO Dramas in Piraeus on Monday 83-71.

Panionios mathematically sealed the third spot in the regular season with a 67-64 win at AGO Rethymnou in a thrilling game that took place on Crete on Saturday.

With two rounds of games to play, the drop zone continues to have the same residents, i.e. Ilisiakos and Ikaros Halkidas, with Panelefsiniakos rising one point above them.

Ilisiakos suffered a 72-60 reverse on Rhodes by Kolossos, Ikaros lost 88-77 at home to Aris, while Panelefsiniakos scored a potentially crucial home victory over Trikala (94-77).

Apollon Patras confirmed it is going from strength to strength as it defeated the season’s surprise package, Nea Kifissia 75-67 in Patra.