Anadolu Efes upsets Ergin Ataman!

The Anadolu Efes men's basketball team defeated the Greek side Panathinaikos 71-68 in the 12th week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

With this result, Anadolu Efes secured its 6th win in the league, while the Greek team suffered its 6th defeat.

Starting the match strongly, Anadolu Efes took a 14-4 lead by the 4th minute with baskets from Jones, Larkin, and Daum. While the Greek team tried to close the gap with Sloukas and Vildoza, Anadolu Efes finished the first period with a 23-15 lead.

Continuing their effective performance into the second period, the navy-and-white team maintained a 34-21 lead by the 16th minute with points from Larkin, Thompson, and Ercan Osmani. As Panathinaikos tried to balance the score with baskets in the paint, Anadolu Efes went into the locker room leading 37-31.

Panathinaikos started the second half of the match quickly, tying the score at 38-38 in the 23rd minute. In a match that continued with back-and-forth baskets, the final period began with the Greek team leading 52-50.

In the final period, where both teams displayed a controlled struggle, Anadolu Efes scored with Thompson and Jones, while Panathinaikos responded with Lessort and Grant. In a tightly contested match, the final 2 minutes were entered with a 65-65 tie. Anadolu Efes took a 70-68 lead with free throws from Larkin with 49 seconds remaining, and then successfully defended their basket during the opponent's subsequent possession. Anadolu Efes increased the lead to 3 points (71-68) with one more free throw from Thompson with 7 seconds left. While the Greek team's Mitoglou could not hit his three-point shot in the final seconds, Anadolu Efes left the court with a 71-68 victory.

ERGİN ATAMAN RETURNS

Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman served against his former team, Anadolu Efes, at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall.

The experienced head coach played his first official match against his former team since leaving Anadolu Efes, where he spent the majority of his career and achieved many successes, most notably two EuroLeague championships.

Meanwhile, new Anadolu Efes signing Daniel Oturu played in his first match with his new team.

On the other hand, Anadolu Efes player Erkan Yılmaz, who suffered an injury in the 18th minute, could not continue the match.

Arena: Sinan Erdem

Referees: Sreten Radovic (Croatia), Carlos Peruga (Spain), Rain Peerandi (Estonia)

Anadolu Efes: Larkin 20, Thompson 7, Erkan Yılmaz 2, Daum 8, Jones 21, Hollatz 3, Ercan Osmani 6, Oturu 2, Erten Gazi 2

Panathinaikos: Nunn 13, Grant 12, Grigonis 4, Mitoglou 9, Lessort 13, Antetokounmpo, Sloukas 9, Vildoza 5, Mantzoukas, Guy, Balcerowski 3

1st Period: 23-15

Halftime: 37-31

3rd Period: 50-52