PAO to win at Olympiacos
This round we will again one of the most awaited derbies in the Euroleague. Since Olympiacos relegated in the second division of Greece this is the only way to see them facing Panathinaikos. Both teams have the ambition to take the win over their rivals but in my opinion, PAO has a much better chance because:
- Vassilis Spanoulis is out for Olympiacos and I feel that this will be a quiet year for the Piraeus’ club. They are in a process of rebuilding the team and with all the changes operated during this season, the squad is far from the so wished chemistry. The roster is full of valuable players but they won’t do miracles as a team.
- PAO is having huge ambitions this season after missing the Final4 in the last years. The remaining games will be tough for them and I think this encounter is one of the must-win games if they want to maintain a good spot for the playoffs.
- Panathinaikos is having more chemistry than Olympiacos at the moment. They had more time to build the team, without needing so many changes and their roster is complete. In the last 2 games lost against Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona, the Greek squad was there for the most part of the battle, ceasing only in the end. But Olympiacos right now is far from that value. They had a good game last round at Maccabi Tel Aviv because the host team was also recovering after injuries and in the process of integrating the new faces. Maccabi Tel Aviv could win easily that encounter, but instead, they complicated a bit the situation, allowing Olympiacos to make their play. This won’t be the same against PAO, their archrivals who can read better than anyone their moves.
- If Nikola Milutinov will continue to be out, then Olympiacos will have a lot of struggle in the paint against PAO’s big men.
Photo: Euroleague
Gratian Cormos
