Fourth title rated as best of all

Panathinaikos basketball team’s boss expresses hope for back-to-back Euroleague wins

Panathinaikos’s tight victory over CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague final for a fourth title was hailed as their best by Greek media yesterday.

The Greeks beat the 2006 European champions 93-91 in a thrilling final on Sunday, despite a spirited counterattack by the Russians halfway through the game.

Panathinaikos have won all four of their European titles in 11 years, three of which were under current coach Zelimir Obradovic, who took over in 1999.

Thousands of fans poured into a central Athens square, honking their car horns, lighting flares and chanting the team’s anthem until early in the morning.

Six of Panathinaikos’s players scored double-digit points compared to four of CSKA, as Panathinaikos showed versatility in attack. “Every year is better than the last and we hope we also succeed next year in Madrid,” club president Pavlos Giannakopoulos told reporters.

Panathinaikos have already won the domestic cup and are expected to easily win the championship with playoffs due to start later this week.