Panathinaikos wins Greek finals opener amid riot

ATHENS, Greece — Panathinaikos defeated archrival Olympiakos, 69-67 in the opening game of the Greek Basketball League finals as riot police were summoned to control fans inside and outside the arena on Thursday. Panathinaikos held on to win when Olympiakos guard Theodoros Papaloukas missed a layup at the buzzer that would have tied the game. Panathinaikos hopes to match its treble from 2007, adding the league title to the European crown it won this month and the Greek Cup. The match was interrupted for nearly 20 minutes with 1:25 left and Panathinaikos leading 60-58. Olympiakos fans threw a flare, plastic bottles and other projectiles at Panathinaikos' bench during a timeout, sending the players scampering for safety. A timekeeper was slightly injured and part of the bench and the surrounding floor had severe burn marks. Enraged fans were trying to storm the floor and would not listen to the pleas of Olympiakos players for calm. Riot police moved in to contain the supporters. Some 200 hardcore fans also clashed with police after the game and even tried to storm the teams' locker rooms and the press room where the two coaches were giving interviews. Fan violence was not uncommon at Greek matches, and the league banned visiting fans from the playoffs and most regular season matches. But even former NBA player Josh Childress, who joined Olympiakos last summer, was rattled. "The violence we saw today, will make me think real hard over my future in Europe," said Childress, who led his team with 23 points. Olympiakos players blamed the violence for throwing them off their game as they were trying to counter Panathinaikos' late comeback. "This did not help the team at all ... the moment you play and you have found a rhythm, you cannot stop because (of the violence) in the stands," said Childress. Olympiakos earned home-court advantage in the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but Panathinaikos negated that with its victory on Thursday. Panathinaikos has won 10 of the last 11 league championships and this month beat Olympiakos on its way to the Euroleague title. Nikola Pekovic scored 16 points to lead Panathinaikos. The second game in the best-of-five series will be at Panathinaikos' home court at Athens Olympic Arena on Monday. – AP