Papagou Crushes Megara 92-74 to Reach Elite League Final, Anderson Scores 41

Key facts

• Evertech Papagou defeated NE Megaridos 92-74 in the Elite League Final Four semifinal at the Lefkada indoor hall.
• Jarrett Anderson scored a career-high 41 points for Papagou, including key three-pointers in the third quarter.
• Papagou led 27-9 after the first quarter and never trailed, holding a double-digit advantage throughout.
• The Final Four is held May 1-3 in Lefkada; the final is Sunday May 3 at 18:15 local time.
• Doxa Lefkadas VIKOS COLA has already secured the regular-season title and will receive the championship trophy on May 1.
• The winner of the final earns promotion to the Greek Basket League.
• NE Megaridos finished second in the regular season with a 20-8 record, advancing through playoffs with a 3-1 series win over Korivos Amaliadas.

Papagou Seizes Early Command, Anderson Erupts for 41

Evertech Papagou stormed into the Elite League Final Four final with a commanding 92-74 victory over NE Megaridos on Thursday at the Lefkada indoor hall. The team from the northern Athens suburb built an 18-point lead in the first quarter, 27-9, and never looked back. American guard Jarrett Anderson delivered a career-best performance, pouring in 41 points with exceptional shooting efficiency. His scoring outburst included a critical three-pointer and five consecutive points early in the third quarter, when Megara had cut the deficit to seven points at 49-56. Anderson's response restored Papagou's comfortable margin, which they maintained through the fourth quarter.

Megara's Youthful Push Falls Short Against Experience

NE Megaridos, a club built around a young Greek core, struggled with the pressure of a knockout game. Coach Giorgos Mantelos's side showed mental inexperience in the first half, allowing Papagou to dictate the tempo. The Megara squad mounted a spirited comeback in the first seven minutes of the third period, using effective defense and three fast breaks to trim the lead to seven points. However, Anderson's timely scoring and Papagou's overall composure extinguished the rally. The quarter ended 53-67, and Papagou cruised in the final period. The quarter scores were 9-27, 31-46, 53-67, and 74-92.

Final Four Format and Promotion Stakes

The Elite League Final Four is being held over three days, May 1-3, in Lefkada. The semifinals took place on May 1, with the second semifinal between Vikos Falcons and Proteas Voulas scheduled for 20:15 local time, broadcast live on ERT2 SPORT. The winners of the two semifinals meet in the final on Sunday, May 3, at 18:15. The champion of the final earns the second promotion ticket to the Greek Basket League. Doxa Lefkadas VIKOS COLA, the regular-season champion, has already secured the first promotion and will receive the title trophy during the Final Four event.

Papagou's Path to the Final Four

Papagou finished the regular season in fifth place with a 17-11 record. Because Doxa Lefkadas won the regular-season title, Papagou gained home-court advantage in the playoffs and faced AGEH. They carried a 2-0 series lead from the regular season and won two more games — one at the Saloun court and one in Chalkida — to advance to the Final Four. NE Megaridos, in contrast, placed second in the regular season with a 20-8 record, edging out Vikos Falcons and Proteas Voulas in a three-way tiebreak. They then defeated Korivos Amaliadas 3-1 in the playoff series to reach the Final Four.

What Comes Next: Final Showdown on Sunday

Papagou now awaits the winner of the second semifinal between Vikos Falcons and Proteas Voulas. The final will be played on Sunday, May 3, at 18:15 at the Lefkada indoor hall. The match will be broadcast live on ERT2 SPORT. For Papagou, the opportunity to return to the top flight after years in the second division is within reach. For their opponent, whether the experienced Vikos Falcons or the ambitious Proteas Voulas, the stakes are equally high. The winner will join Doxa Lefkadas in the Basket League next season.

The bottom line

• Evertech Papagou defeated NE Megaridos 92-74 in the Elite League Final Four semifinal, powered by Jarrett Anderson's 41 points.
• Papagou will play the winner of Vikos Falcons-Proteas Voulas in the final on Sunday, May 3, for promotion to the Basket League.
• NE Megaridos, the regular-season runner-up, was eliminated despite a strong third-quarter comeback attempt.
• Doxa Lefkadas VIKOS COLA has already secured the regular-season title and the first promotion spot.
• The Final Four is held in Lefkada from May 1-3, with all games broadcast on ERT2 SPORT.
• The final will determine the second promoted team to the Greek Basket League.