Valencia Basket Make Euroleague History — First-Ever Final Four After Crushing Panathinaikos 81–64

Valencia Basket have written their name into European basketball history — for the first time in the club's existence, they have reached the Euroleague Final Four. In the decisive Game 5 of the quarter-final series, Pedro Martínez's side demolished Greek club Panathinaikos 81–64 at a packed Roig Arena, completing a comeback in the series to win 3–2.

The home side started the match with confidence. The tone was set by Branku Badio and Jean Montero, with strong support from Sergio de Larrea and Matt Costello. The team built a tight defence and focused on offensive rebounds, while Panathinaikos relied primarily on Nigel Hayes-Davis in attack. After spectacular dunks from De Larrea and Pradilla, and a steal from Kam Taylor, the score rocketed to 35–18. Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman was handed a technical foul for hurling a bottle onto the court in frustration.

In the third quarter, the Greeks went on a 10–0 run to cut the gap, but Badio extinguished the momentum with a three-pointer and free throws. Down the stretch, Darius Thompson, Taylor, Costello, Neil Sako, and others reliably neutralised the opposition — Panathinaikos never found an answer to Valencia's varied attacking game. In the final seconds, Montero composed himself to sink his free throws after a skirmish with Rogkavopoulos, sealing the final score to a deafening roar from the stands.

In the Final Four, Valencia Basket will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

La Cotorra has written in detail about the reasons behind the Valencian club's success.