The second game of the 2025/26 EuroLeague playoff quarterfinal series between Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos Aktor took place in Valencia. The match started at 20:45 Spanish time and was crucial for the hosts after their setback in the opening game. In that match, Valencia Basket lost by the smallest margin, and the ending was controversial due to a possible foul by Grant on Montero. Now, the team found itself in an even tougher position: Panathinaikos Aktor not only took the lead in the series but also seized home-court advantage.
Lineup issues and starting fives
Before the game, it became clear that Valencia Basket’s roster remained unchanged from the first match. Yankuba Sima, who recently played in an ACB game against Real Madrid, and Lopez-Arostegui, who is still recovering from a muscle injury, were not included in the squad. The main loss for Panathinaikos Aktor was Kostas Sloukas, who will miss the entire series due to a left knee meniscus injury. The starting fives were as follows: for Valencia Basket — Badio, Montero, Costello, Puerto, and Sako; for Panathinaikos Aktor — Nunn, Grant, Osman, Lessort, and Hayes.
Game flow and refereeing decisions
Panathinaikos Aktor managed to impose tough defense on their opponent, which surprised many since the team was better known for their offensive play during the season. This time, Ergin Ataman’s players held Valencia Basket to under seventy points, allowing the visitors to secure their win and strengthen their lead in the series. The refereeing crew of Radovic, Lottermoser, and Khordov was once again in the spotlight after controversial moments at the end of the first game.
Context and significance for the EuroLeague
Valencia Basket’s defeat in the second match has significantly complicated their chances of reaching the semifinals. The series now moves to Athens, where Panathinaikos Aktor will host their opponent on home court. It is important to note that Panathinaikos will also be hosting the EuroLeague Final Four at the end of May, adding extra motivation for the club and its fans. In Spanish basketball, situations involving refereeing and personnel losses have frequently become topics of discussion, as has happened in other sports conflicts — for example, in the recent standoff within Más Madrid, where the struggle between García and Delgado supporters also escalated the situation (more on the party conflict).
Background
In the current EuroLeague season, Panathinaikos Aktor has shown inconsistency on defense, but in the playoffs the team has made marked improvements in this area. For Valencia Basket, the series has been a challenge not only due to a strong opponent, but also because of the absence of key players. The next game will take place in Athens, where Panathinaikos will try to finish the series early.
