EuroLiga: Valencia vs Panathinaikos 28/04/2026

A well-coordinated and relaxed Valencia has a great opportunity to take advantage of Panathinaikos’ problems and the absence of Sloukas to take the lead in the series.

Betting on the match winner

One of the most exciting EuroLeague quarterfinal matchups will be the clash between Valencia and Panathinaikos, where the Spanish side, after an almost perfect regular season, faces the seven-time European champions.

Although on paper experience, tradition, and individual quality are on the side of the Greek giant, Valencia is far from being an underdog in this series. In fact, Ergin Ataman’s team has shown significant inconsistency throughout the season—there have been plenty of criticisms, roster changes, and a lack of continuity, which certainly doesn’t help heading into the playoffs.

An additional problem for Panathinaikos is the injury of Kostas Sloukas, the team’s most experienced and decorated player, who has been a key figure in games like this for years. On top of that, players like Mathias Lessort have yet to reach peak form, while newcomers such as T.J. Shorts and Nigel Hayes-Davis are still adjusting to the system.

On the other hand, Valencia looks like the complete opposite story—Pedro Martinez’s system is functioning flawlessly, as confirmed by his Coach of the Year award. The team plays at a high pace, with a deep rotation and clearly defined roles, where each of the 12 players contributes meaningfully on the court.

Additional confidence for the home side comes from the fact that they have already convincingly beaten Panathinaikos twice this season, showing they have no fear of their prestigious opponent and that their style of play creates serious problems for the “Greens.”

The first game of the series carries huge importance, and Valencia is expected to come in highly motivated in front of their home crowd. Sloukas’ absence could be a decisive factor, and everything points toward the home team taking the first step toward advancing.