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Valencia Stuns Panathinaikos 91–87 in Athens to Force Game 4

Heightened security follows an owner ban over earlier incidents.

Overview

  • Valencia Basket, which won 91-87 on Wednesday in Athens, extended the best-of-five EuroLeague playoff to a fourth game at OAKA.
  • Both head coaches, Ergin Ataman and Pedro Martínez, were ejected late in the third quarter during a tense stretch that shifted the crowd and bench areas on edge.
  • The finish came down to the last possession as Panathinaikos missed potential game-tying threes before Valencia closed it at the line.
  • Greek authorities boosted protection with a police escort and barriers around the visiting bench, and Valencia traveled with private security after the tie was labeled high risk due to prior incidents and hostile online posts.
  • EuroLeague barred Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos from the arena for three games, and he faces a Spanish police complaint as he publicly urged fans to stay calm before the match.