Archrivals to clash for title

Olympiakos, through to basketball final with away win over Aris, to face Panathinaikos

Olympiakos players rejoice at Thessaloniki club Aris’s Alexandreio Stadium, where the Piraeus team snatched victory last Saturday for a 3-2 win in their best-of-five semifinal series. Olympiakos had not won there all season. Aris will face Panionios in a best-of-five series for third place and a Euroleague berth.

Defending champion Panathinaikos will face Olympiakos in the domestic basketball league's best-of-five final series, which begins tomorrow at the former's OAKA stadium.

Olympiakos sneaked its way into the final by upsetting Thessaloniki club Aris, 83-75, at a packed home stadium in the pair's fifth and final game of their semifinal series. It was the Piraeus team's first victory at Aris's Alexandreio Stadium this season. It was a tight contest throughout the game, with Olympiakos placed slightly ahead at the end of each of the first three periods. The Piraeus team led 22-20 at the first quarter, 44-40 at halftime, and 67-64 at the end of the third period before widening the gap in the final period for its eight-point victory.

As consolation, Aris will encounter Panionios in a best-of-five series for third place, which secures a berth for next season's Euroleague.

As the league's finalists, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are already through to the lucrative competition.

Aris and Panionios begin their best-of five series today in Thessaloniki. The pair continues its contest on Saturday with Panionios as the host in Athens, and play a third game in Thessaloniki next Tuesday. If needed, fourth and fifth games have been scheduled for June 16 in Athens and June 19 in Thessaloniki.

Following tomorrow's opening game in their final series, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are scheduled to meet for a second game at the Piraeus team's Peace and Friendship (SEF) stadium on Sunday. Game Three of the series, at OAKA, is scheduled for June 13. If necessary, the final series's fourth and fifth games will be held on June 17 and June 20 at the SEF and OAKA stadiums, respectively.

Panathinaikos, crowned European champion just weeks ago, stormed its way to the final with a 3-0 win over Panionios in their semifinal series.