Panathinaikos hosts Monaco in Euroleague play-in tournament

Panathinaikos AKTOR faces Monaco in a crucial Euroleague play-in match at the Telekom Center (OAKA) at 21:00. The winner of this single-elimination game secures a spot in the playoffs to face Valencia, which finished second in the regular season. If Panathinaikos loses, they will have a second opportunity to qualify by playing against the winner of the Barcelona versus Red Star Belgrade match, also at home. Head coach Ergin Ataman stated that his team is fully prepared for this "final," with only Alexandros Samodurov remaining sidelined due to injury. Ataman emphasized the importance of the home atmosphere and dismissed thoughts of a second chance, focusing entirely on defeating the experienced Monaco side. Meanwhile, Barcelona hosts Red Star Belgrade at 21:45 in the other play-in bracket. Ataman also reflected on the regular season, noting the tight competition and acknowledging that Olympiacos performed exceptionally well. The match carries significant weight for both clubs as they vie for a place in the next stage of the European competition.