Obradović's Green Machine in Full Swing: Panathinaikos Demolishes EuroCup Champions

Željko Obradović returned to the "OAKA" Arena after 14 years, and once again, Panathinaikos under his command looked like the powerhouse that struck fear across Europe in the first decade of the 21st century.

Although the game against Bourg was inconsequential in terms of standings, Panathinaikos dismantled the reigning EuroCup champions to book a Saturday final against PAOK, who defeated Partizan with a last-second shot from Marcus Foster.

Obradović may have surprised some with his starting five. It wasn't his strongest lineup, but rather a domestic core featuring Mantzoukas, Kalaitzakis, and Mitoglou. They didn't pull away from the current EuroCup champions, but once the heavy hitters entered the game, it was all over. Mathias Lessort was brilliant alongside Badi, Francisco, Bonga, and Hernangómez.

They controlled the paint, denying Bourg any easy shots. The Greens stepped on the gas, and by the end of the first quarter, the score was 25-10. It was almost uncomfortable to watch Panathinaikos dominate the outmatched French side. The quality gap was immense, reflected by the lopsided 40-17 score after 15 minutes. A struggling Bourg showed some signs of life, but PAO didn't let up, ending the first half with a commanding 51-31 lead.

The Greens' intensity dropped in the second half. They began to experiment, and Obradović gave an opportunity to young Iasonas Varvaritis, whose three-pointer delighted the Athens crowd. Despite the changes, PAO continued to cruise, holding a 69-44 lead at the end of the third quarter.

In the final quarter, PAO relaxed considerably. They didn't rush their offense, while Bourg picked up the scraps, scoring on rare opportunities. The game was frequently interrupted by fouls, but it was all irrelevant as Panathinaikos had already secured the victory, leaving room for experimentation in the final 10 minutes. The seven-time European champions comfortably closed out the game, celebrating a convincing win.

Sylvain Francisco led the Athenians with 18 points, followed by Mathias Lessort with 15. On the other side, Walker stood out with 20 points.

VIDEO: Lessort and Obradović chat with Partizan staff