Panathinaikos boots Olympiacos from Greek Cup

Panthinaikos

Esteban Batista

It was a shocking upset, and “stunned” was the best way to describe the avid fans in attendance who witnessed Panathinaikos Athens edge Olympiacos S.F.P Pireus 77-76, eliminating the Greek powerhouse from the Greek Cup. Olympiacos has won the Greek Cup nine times. The last time they raised the cup over their heads was in 2011. Panathinaikos, on the other hand, are the defending winners of the Greek Cup and have claimed it over the last three years. This was an epic match indeed and was the first punch thrown for the season between the 2014 Greek league finalists, wherein Panathinaikos prevailed three games to two.

Panathinaikos miraculously pulled off this crucial home win despite being hobbled by the loss of several players who are recovering from injuries and move on to the semifinals. It appears that Panathinaikos still has Olympiacos’ number and holds a metagame edge over their rivals. Oddly enough though, the tightly contested game boiled down to one slam dunk by Panathinaikos’ import Esteban Batista (Uruguay), who lifted his team with no more time remaining in regulation. For obvious reasons, he was named the game’s M.V.P. and he finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds.

 

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