How are Olympiacos and Panathinaikos beginning their Euroleague campaigns?
Olympiacos and Panathinaikos launch their respective Euroleague journeys on September 24, 2026, through distinct home and away challenges. Olympiacos travels to Vitoria to face Baskonia at 21:30, while Panathinaikos welcomes Paris Basketball to their home arena at 21:15.
The stakes are particularly high for Olympiacos, as they enter the season as the reigning European champions. Their ability to secure an away victory against a competitive Baskonia side will be a critical litmus test for their title defense. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos looks to establish early dominance in the standings by leveraging their home-court advantage against the French side, Paris Basketball.
The opening night of the season sets a high bar for the Greek clubs. For the defending champions, the immediate priority is maintaining the momentum that led to their title, starting with a difficult trip to Spain. For Panathinaikos, the focus is on capitalizing on the home atmosphere to secure a vital early win against a rising Paris Basketball squad.
What is the status of the Olympiacos roster for the Baskonia match?
Olympiacos has arrived in Vitoria with 13 available players under the guidance of head coach Georgios Bartzokas. While the squad remains largely intact for the season opener, there are notable absences and additions to the rotation.
The squad list for the trip to Vitoria includes Miller-McIntyre, Montero, Dorsey, Joseph, Ward, Vezenkov, Papanikolaou, Enjiayi, Fournier, Karagiannidis, Milutinov, Hall, and Jones. Notably, Nikola Milutinov has been included in the traveling roster, providing a significant boost to the team's interior presence.
Absences and tactical considerations for Olympiacos
Despite the strength of the traveling roster, Olympiacos will be missing three key players for this opening encounter. Omer Nezdipoglu, Nikos Plotas, and Georgios Bourneles have been left out of the squad for the game against Baskonia. The coaching staff will need to adjust their tactical rotations to compensate for these absences, particularly in maintaining the defensive intensity required for away games in the Euroleague.
The absence of Nezdipoglu, in particular, may shift how the team handles perimeter defense and playmaking. With 13 players available, Bartzokas must manage minutes carefully to ensure the rotation remains effective throughout the high-intensity match in Vitoria. The inclusion of Milutinov suggests a heavy reliance on his presence to anchor the defense and facilitate the offense against a Baskonia team that has shown significant scoring depth recently.
How did Baskonia perform in recent competitive play?
Baskonia enters this matchup following a recent appearance in the Super Cup, where they faced Barcelona. Although they lost that encounter, the match provided a clear indication of their current scoring capabilities and roster dynamics.
In the Super Cup match, Baskonia fell to Barcelona with a score of 96-84. The performance was led by Simons, who recorded 19 points. Other contributors included Los with 16 points, Stewart with 11, and both Spaniolo and Duarte, who contributed 10 points each. These figures suggest a balanced scoring threat that Olympiacos must contain.
Furthermore, Baskonia has undergone roster changes immediately preceding the Euroleague season. The club officially released player Alex Len just one day before the start of the Euroleague campaign, a move that may influence their frontcourt depth as they face the defending champions.
The loss to Barcelona highlights both the offensive potential and the defensive vulnerabilities of the Basque side. With multiple players reaching double digits, Baskonia possesses a spread-out attack that can punish teams that fail to rotate effectively. However, the departure of Alex Len just before the season opener leaves questions regarding their ability to match the physical presence of players like Milutinov in the paint. Olympiacos will likely look to exploit this potential lack of depth in the frontcourt while attempting to stifle the scoring runs led by Simons and Los.
What are the key updates for Panathinaikos and Zeljko Obradovic?
Panathinaikos held its official media day on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, marking a significant moment as Zeljko Obradovic returns to the sidelines. The legendary coach addressed the media regarding player availability and the psychological preparation required for the season opener.
Obradovic confirmed that both Rogavopoulos and Moraitis have been training since Monday. He stated that both players will be available for selection in the game against Paris Basketball. This news provides a boost to the team's depth as they prepare for their first home fixture of the season.
The return of Zeljko Obradovic to the bench
The return of Zeljko Obradovic to the Panathinaikos bench is one of the most discussed storylines of the 2026 season. During the media day, Obradovic maintained a strictly professional focus, downplaying the personal significance of his return to emphasize the task at hand.
He addressed the media regarding the difficulties of the upcoming game and the significance of the season opener. Obradovic noted that while the first game of every Euroleague season is unique, he is not focusing on personal milestones. Instead, he stated, "The first game of the Euroleague in every season is special. Personal things are not important. My mind is to prepare for the game. My concentration is on the game." This disciplined approach signals a focus on immediate results rather than the sentimental aspects of his coaching comeback.
The availability of Rogavopoulos and Moraitis is a key tactical advantage for Obradovic. Having both players training since the start of the week suggests they are integrated into the system and ready to provide the depth needed to combat Paris Basketball. Obradovic’s insistence on focusing on the game rather than the hype surrounding his return suggests a team environment built on discipline and tactical execution, which will be essential as they face a competitive French opponent in their home opener.
FAQ: Euroleague 2026 season start
When do the first games for Olympiacos and Panathinaikos take place?
The opening games for both Greek teams take place on the evening of September 24, 2026. Panathinaikos plays their home game against Paris Basketball at 21:15, followed by Olympiacos's away game against Baskonia at 21:30.
Who is missing from the Olympiacos squad for the first game?
Olympiacos will be without Omer Nezdipoglu, Nikos Plotas, and Georgios Bourneles for their opening match against Baskonia. Despite these absences, the team has traveled to Vitoria with 13 players, including Nikola Milutinov.
Is Zeljko Obradovic coaching Panathinaikos this season?
Yes, Zeljko Obradovic has returned to the Panathinaikos bench. He addressed the media during the team's media day on September 23, confirming his focus is entirely on preparing the team for the upcoming Euroleague season.
Which players are available for Panathinaikos in the opener?
According to coach Zeljko Obradovic, both Rogavopoulos and Moraitis are available for the first game. Both players have been participating in team training sessions since Monday.
How did Baskonia perform in their most recent match?
Baskonia lost 96-84 to Barcelona in the Super Cup three days prior to the Euroleague season start. Simons was the leading scorer for Baskonia in that match, contributing 19 points to the total.
