Panathinaikos wins Greek Cup

Panathinaikos captured its 20th Greek Cup title on Sunday, beating Promitheas Patras 91-79 at the Olympic Sports Hall in Athens.

Final MVP Ioannis Papapetrou, the team’s 27-year-old captain, had 25 points to lead the champions. The powerhouse team has won the Greek Cup eight times in the past 10 years, including in 2019 for the most recent time. (In 2017, Panathinaikos won the tournament for the sixth consecutive year.)

Mario Hezonja finished with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, while teammate Dinos Mitoglou chipped in with 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Howard Sant-Roos contributed 16 points while on the opposing side, Gian Clavell put on a 23-point performance. Jerai Grant scored 18 and Jerian Grant 17 points.

Gian Clavel paced the runners-up with 23 points. Jerai Grant poured in 18 and Jerian Grant scored 17.

How Panathinaikos fared in the final

Panathinaikos led 20-15 after one quarter and 45-41 at halftime.

Coach Oded Kattash’s team extended its lead to 68-58 by halftime.

Although Promitheas Patras pulled within 80-77 in the fourth quarter thanks to a 9-0 run, a final surge gave Panathinaikos a bit of breathing room before the final buzzer.

And then the familiar scene unfolded as Papapetrou and his Panathinaikos teammates celebrated another Greek Cup title.

Papapetrou reacts to win

Speaking to reporters after the game, Papapetrou said: “I am very happy that we got the first title of the season, it was one of the main goals. Congratulations to Prometheus, they gave everything on the floor and offered a very competitive game.”

Papapetrou also discussed the obstacles the team overcame en route to the title.

“It matters that we got the title,” he said. “I am very happy for my team, because we had a lot of difficulties, we lost (Nemanja) Nedovic (to a calf injury), but we managed. It is a very special and difficult season for everyone, but the team has improved.”