Conference League: Paks return leg Thursday night
This is the one that matters. Panathinaikos hold a 2–1 lead from the first leg in Hungary and now face Paks at the Olympic Stadium, kick-off 21:30 local time on SKAI (3) (4). Over 20,000 supporters are expected at OAKA. Win or draw and your team advances to the third qualifying round. The squad has focused on set-piece drills and tactical preparation all week, and the mood around the camp is calm.
Sylvain Francisco is a Panathinaikos player
The EuroLeague bomb dropped. Panathinaikos have signed Sylvain Francisco from ASVEL Villeurbanne, and the deal reportedly totals €11.7 million (1) (2) (5) (6) (7) (8). The 27-year-old guard landed in Athens and the club wasted no time showing him off. Owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos posted a story on Instagram featuring Francisco alongside a photo from EuroBasket 2025, a clear signal this signing matters (10).
Lessort and Yabusele already welcomed him
Mathias Lessort and Guerschon Yabusele did not wait. Both posted on Instagram the moment the news broke, effectively telling the fanbase this is a locker-room-approved move (9). Francisco himself revealed back in March that Greek clubs had been calling, in an interview with Dora Panteli (11). He knew the interest was real. Now he is here.
Fan-reaktioner
The Francisco signing has lit up the Panathinaikos subreddit. One fan summed it up plainly: "The bomb dropped: Panathinaikos paid up to Villeurbanne and bought Francisco!" The early mood is pure excitement, the kind of reaction you get when the club lands a statement player and everyone can see it. Read the thread
