Panathinaikos defeated Olympiakos 79-68 in the Greek Cup final, securing the championship title for the 22nd time in the club’s history. The victory marks the second consecutive Greek Cup win for Panathinaikos and the fourth trophy won with the team by head coach Ergin Ataman.

Dominant Performance Seals Victory

The match, played at Heraklion Arena, saw Panathinaikos seize control early. After a tied first period at 17-17, Panathinaikos surged ahead, scoring 28 points in the second quarter to establish a 45-29 lead at halftime.

Panathinaikos maintained their advantage throughout the third quarter, with Cedi Osman also contributing to the team’s performance. They entered the final period with a commanding 69-51 lead.

Despite a more effective fourth quarter from Olympiakos, Panathinaikos held on to secure the 79-68 victory.

Ataman Reflects on Success

“I see there are only seven or eight journalists here. If we had lost, there would be more of you asking me the same questions you’ve been asking all season. We played a great game tonight, congratulations to the team. We played smart basketball inside and out, built our confidence, and everyone gave 100%. We controlled the game from start to finish and deserved to win this match. Many journalists from Athens are here; I said if we had lost, they would have been in this room. I don’t think I demand to say much about Hayes-Davis.”

Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos Head Coach

Ataman emphasized that while this victory is significant, the team’s focus remains on larger goals. We achieved a small goal, our big goal is the EuroLeague and the Greek League.

Hayes-Davis Earns MVP Honors

Nigel Hayes-Davis, Panathinaikos’ American forward, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Greek Cup Final. He scored 15 points in the game.

“Congratulations to the team for their effort in this tough game. Thanks to the fans who supported us. On game days, I’ve been doing the same routine for the last 4–5 years. I take a nap after shootaround, come to the arena three hours before tip-off, and do my job. I try to find my rhythm, and I hope the fans appreciate my effort. It’s always great to play for trophies in Europe…”

Nigel Hayes-Davis, Panathinaikos Forward

Looking Ahead

This Greek Cup victory represents a significant achievement for Panathinaikos and Ergin Ataman, but the team is already setting its sights on the EuroLeague and the Greek League championships.

FAQ

• Who won the Greek Cup? Panathinaikos.
• What was the final score? Panathinaikos 79 – Olympiakos 68.
• Who was named MVP? Nigel Hayes-Davis.
• How many Greek Cups has Panathinaikos won? 22.