Blind Referees?! Outrage in Greece over the “Scandal”

Dramatic Game Ends in Controversy

In a gripping playoff clash on Thursday night, Anadolu Efes stunned the audience at OAKA by overcoming a 15-point deficit to defeat Panathinaikos 76-79, leveling their playoff series at 1-1. Shane Larkin emerged as the defining player, scoring 20 points overall, with 11 crucial points in the final quarter, including a pivotal three-pointer that provided the lead with just 35 seconds remaining.

“Even when we were down by 15, I told my teammates to stay calm and play with passion. The fans here are incredible and will try to distract you, but as long as we remain composed, we have a chance to beat anystart,” Larkin stated after the match. He emphasized the collective effort that secured the victory, commenting on the importance of teamwork for their success.

Head coach Luka Banki added, “We aim to keep the game simple, drawing energy from our defense, stops, and rebounds. Both teams possess players capable of closing games, and we were sharp in those critical moments. We’ll head to Istanbul with a positive spirit and confidence, along with support from our fans.”

Accusations of Refereeing Bias

While celebrations erupted among the Turkish team, accusations flew from Greece regarding the officiating of the game. Panathinaikos players and supporters claimed that a critical foul by Anadolu’s Vincent Poirier during Kendrick Nunn’s last three-point attempt was overlooked. A foul call could have awarded Nunn three free throws, providing the opportunity for Panathinaikos to force overtime.

A headline from the sports website SDNA read, “We experienced a robbery at OAKA,” describing the incident as a significant scandal. The article criticized the referees for failing to call what they considered an obvious foul, questioning the competence of the officiating team and left fans wondering if the referees were blind or simply incapable.

In contrast, Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman downplayed the controversy, stating, “Both games played here were tough and officiated well for both sides. There were mistakes on both sides, but the refereeing was solid. We expect the same in the upcoming games in Istanbul.”

As the series continues, both teams will prepare for what promises to be another intense showdown, with tensions running high and the stakes even higher