Hapoel Tel Aviv Shocks Panathinaikos 91-81 in Athens EuroLeague Clash
Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Panathinaikos 91-81 in Athens to improve to 4-2 in the EuroLeague. Owner Ofer Yanai praised his Greek counterpart Dimitris Giannakopoulos after the impressive away win.
Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a vital 91-81 victory over Panathinaikos in Athens, closing the EuroLeague double week with a positive 4-2 record and relieving significant pressure within the club.
Following the match at the OAKA arena, Hapoel owner Ofer Yanai shared warm words about his Panathinaikos counterpart, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, after the two held a private meeting two hours before tip-off.
"First of all, I am a huge fan of Mr. Giannakopoulos," Yanai said, defending the Greek owner. "Everyone thinks and says he is crazy, but he is not crazy. He is very strategic and full of extreme passion. He understands that a team is built step by step."
Acknowledging that he learns from Giannakopoulos, Yanai added, "It is a great lesson. I am someone who likes to move fast, but you cannot build a team in one year. It is a matter of process."
Concluding with praise for the hosts, Yanai remarked, "I think this is one of the greatest teams in the EuroLeague, and I am still surprised we managed to win here. I also think this will probably be their only loss."
