Panathinaikos defeats Paris Basketball in EuroLeague season opener

Panathinaikos secured a dominant 91-72 victory against Paris Basketball in their 2026-27 EuroLeague opening match, held at the Telekom Center Athens on September 24, 2026. This game marked the official return of head coach Zeljko Obradovic to the team's bench after a 14-year hiatus. The hosts controlled the game from the start, ending the first quarter with a 31-17 lead and maintaining their momentum throughout the encounter to secure a comfortable win.

Despite the victory, Panathinaikos faced significant roster challenges. Key players Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas, Nigel Hayes-Davis, and Moustapha Fall were sidelined due to injuries. However, Nikos Rogkavopoulos returned to the rotation after recovering from a muscle strain. Panathinaikos, having already sold out their season tickets earlier this year, aims to build on this momentum for the remainder of the 38-game regular season. The team continues its preparation under Obradovic as they seek to integrate recovering players, including Nunn, who has returned to the city to complete his rehabilitation. The EuroLeague season, featuring 20 teams, will conclude its regular phase on April 16, 2027, before moving to the playoffs and the final tournament in Abu Dhabi.