Real Madrid Earns Important Euroleague Win in Athens
Real Madrid secured a hard-fought away victory against Panathinaikos, clinching a 68-71 result that reflected a full-team effort from start to finish. The visit focused on defensive solidity, dominance on the boards, and timely plays in crucial moments, compensating for moments when offensive fluency was lacking. The win extended Madrid’s current streak to five consecutive victories, underscoring the team’s ability to grind out results on the road.
The opening minutes showed a similar pattern for both teams, with inaccuracies creeping into the action and early-season mistakes reappearing in both camps. Real Madrid started without a traditional point guard on the floor and faced initial trouble finding rhythm at the rim. Yet the visitors drew first blood thanks to Guerschon Yabusele’s scoring and Walter Tavares’ rebounding, establishing the early advantage.
As the game unfolded, Mario Hezonja’s departure shifted the tone. The Croatian guard delivered eight points, punctuated by two three-pointers in the first half, pushing Madrid ahead and prompting Panathinaikos head coach Dejan Radonjic to call a timeout when the hosts trailed by eight. Madrid finished the opening frame with a 22-23 balance, setting up a tense, high-intensity pace for the second period.
When play resumed, Madrid continued to defend stoutly while struggling to generate offense freely. Chus Mateo’s squad showed resilience on the defensive end, yet creating reliable scoring opportunities remained a challenge as the Greeks pressed. Panathinaikos, eager to shift momentum, received a spark from Gabriel Deck and back-to-back baskets by Vincent Poirier, though the renewed energy from Madrid kept the game close and the halftime score remained tight at 37-38.
In the middle portion of the second quarter, the visitors briefly regained control as Mateusz Ponitka and Derrick Williams connected from the perimeter, bringing the OAKA arena to life with three-pointers. Madrid stayed within striking distance despite droughts on offense, and the scoreboard reflected fourteen lead changes before the break, with Real Madrid inching ahead in the late stages of the first half and carrying a narrow advantage into the second half.
The third period delivered more shifted momentum. Real Madrid continued to struggle with offensive fluency after the halftime break, while Panathinaikos kept pressing. Derick Williams remained a constant threat for the home team, briefly lifting Panathinaikos to a three-point edge and forcing Madrid coach Chus Mateos to regroup. The response from Madrid came through disciplined defense, a continued commitment to rebounding, and timely scores, which helped restore balance as the final frame approached.
In a spirited sequence, a late third-quarter surge from the French contingent and Walter Tavares at the rim helped Real Madrid reassert control. The visitors leveraged defensive stops and contributions from a rotating lineup, creating a narrow three-point lead by the end of the third, with the score standing at 51-54 as the fourth period began.
Madrid’s veteran playmakers stepped up in the closing minutes. Sergio Llull hit a crucial three-pointer, while Tavares continued to control the interior, contributing on both ends and maintaining the team’s presence near the basket. Llull’s late heroics, combined with the interior presence, helped Real Madrid push through the final stretch, neutralizing Panathinaikos’ attempts to reclaim momentum. The game’s decisive moments arrived in the last four minutes, as Paris Lee’s 8-0 burst for Panathinaikos briefly rattled Madrid, but a composed response led by Musa, Deck, and Llull sealed the victory for Madrid.
Public chatter and social media posts from the night highlighted a few standout sequences and players, including a post-game clip celebrating a crucial late-innings performance. The contest offered a microcosm of Euroleague drama: a tactical chess match, defensive battles, and combustible offense that swung back and forth, ultimately tipping in Madrid’s favor. The performance demonstrated Real Madrid’s ability to win on the road by leaning on defense, rebounding, and clutch plays in key moments, rather than relying solely on high-scoring outputs. The win reinforced Madrid’s standing as a contender in the continental chase and illustrated their capacity to adapt under pressure in a demanding league setting (Euroleague).
Data sheet highlights the balanced scoring load across Real Madrid. The starting five featured Fabien Causeur, Dzanan Musa, Gabriel Deck, Guerschon Yabusele, and Walter Tavares, complemented by contributions from Mario Hezonja, Sergio Rodríguez, Petr Cornelie, Vincent Poirier, and Sergio Llull. Panathinaikos tallied with Paris Lee, Georgios Kalaitzakis, Marius Grigonis, Derrick Williams, and Georgios Papagiannis guiding the initial lineup, followed by a mix of rotation players who added depth throughout the game. The officiating trio included Matej Boltauzer, Carmelo Paternico, and Emin Mogulkoç, and the event marked the opening match of the Euroleague regular season hosted at OAKA in Athens (Euroleague).
In sum, Real Madrid’s win in Athens underscored the team’s defensive discipline, rebounding dominance, and late-game poise, offering a pattern of success for the season ahead as it competes for top positions in Europe. The contest demonstrated how balance and grit can overcome occasional offensive droughts when the defense holds firm and the game remains within reach until the closing minutes (Euroleague).