Panathinaikos loses first EuroLeague game

The Panathinaikos Athens team, which had not lost any games in the EuroLeague this season, suffered its first defeat in a home match against Hapoel Tel-Aviv during the sixth round of the competition. The final score was 81-91 in favor of Hapoel Tel-Aviv, ending Panathinaikos’s undefeated streak.

Hapoel dominates early and holds lead

Hapoel Tel-Aviv took control of the game early and maintained a lead for much of the match. They outperformed Panathinaikos in three-point shooting (45% to 3-points) and rebounding (34 to 27), contributing to their eventual victory.

Panathinaikos fights back but falls short

Despite a strong second-half effort by Panathinaikos, which included a 11-0 run, the team was unable to overtake Hapoel Tel-Aviv. The home team briefly took the lead (72-71) in the final minutes, but Hapoel Tel-Aviv responded with a decisive 81-91 victory.

French players shine in loss

The performance of the French quartet in the Panathinaikos lineup was notable despite the loss. Sylvain Francisco was the standout player, contributing 22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block in 26 minutes. Mathias Lessort added 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals in 22 minutes, reaching the 1,000-point milestone in his career with the team. Guerschon Yabusele provided physicality with 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block in 29 minutes, while Moustapha Fall contributed 2 points and 1 rebound in his limited playing time.

Standings shift after the loss

The loss reshapes the standings at the top of the EuroLeague, with Panathinaikos now sharing the same record with its rival Olympiakos Piraeus and the Turkish team Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul. Meanwhile, Hapoel Tel-Aviv has entered the playoff zone provisionally.