Valencia Basket overcomes a 0-2 deficit against Panathinaikos to reach their first-ever Final Four (81-64)

Valencia Basket qualified for their first Final Four after overcoming an initial 0-2 deficit in the series, winning the fifth and decisive game against Panathinaikos 81-64 in front of a packed Roig Arena. The crowd, which had been cheering them on throughout the game, set a new attendance record with a sellout of 15,600 spectators. Valencia Basket took an early lead with a strong opening run, and although the visitors narrowed the gap shortly before the end of the first quarter and even briefly took the lead at the start of the second, the Valencia defense completely shut down the Greek offense, building a lead that remained at twelve by halftime. Pedro Martínez's men came out strong after the break, but the Greek team found their range from beyond the arc in the third quarter, making six of nine three-point attempts to cut the deficit and enter the final ten minutes with everything to play for. At the most delicate moment, the orange team found their rhythm to string together two three-pointers that gave them an advantage that they knew how to protect until the end to secure the decisive point of the series.

Pedro Martínez

 “We’re in the Final Four, it’s incredible, it’s a huge success for the club, for everyone who has worked towards this, it’s a great achievement. I’m delighted with the incredible focus they’ve shown throughout the series, even when we lost games. Playing as a team has given us so much during the series, because they’re certainly better individually.”