Greek “Giants” Return to the Final Four
In May 2025, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos reached the Euroleague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, marking a historic repeat of their 2024 success. As anticipation grew among Greek basketball fans, so did the online conversations. Using Palowise’s advanced social listening tools, we tracked and analyzed fan sentiment on X (formerly Twitter) to capture the emotional pulse of the public before and after the semi-finals.
Buzz Volume: Olympiacos Leads the Conversation
Social Media Activity Breakdown
- Olympiacos BC: ~22,000 mentions
- Panathinaikos BC: ~16,000 mentions
- Main platform: X (formerly Twitter)
The sheer volume of posts reflects the passion and investment of Greek fans, with Olympiacos generating more buzz, likely due to both its larger online following and the intense expectations set by last year’s performance.
Sentiment Before the Semi-Finals: A Nation Filled with Hope
Between May 21–23, Greek fans expressed overwhelming positivity and optimism toward both teams. According to Palowise’s sentiment analysis:
- Olympiacos BC: ~79% positive sentiment
- Panathinaikos BC: ~86% positive sentiment
Fans shared motivational content, predicted victories, and celebrated the presence of both Greek clubs at the highest level of European basketball.
Sentiment Shift After the Semi-Finals: From Optimism to Disappointment
The tone dramatically changed following the semi-final losses on May 24–26. Disappointment dominated online discussions, especially among Olympiacos supporters.
Olympiacos Sentiment
- ~55% negative sentiment
- Key concerns:
- Poor preparation
- Coaching decisions by Bartzokas
- Underperformance by Vezenkov
Panathinaikos Sentiment
- ~35% negative sentiment
- Key concerns:
- General team performance
- Lack of energy and execution on the court
Despite the losses, the reaction from Panathinaikos fans was notably more balanced than Olympiacos, reflecting perhaps differing expectations or reactions to the match dynamics.
Why Sentiment Analysis Matters for Brands and Sports Organizations
Monitoring sentiment isn’t just about tracking emotions—it’s a powerful tool for:
- Brand management
- Crisis response
- Audience engagement
- Performance benchmarking
At Palowise, we help teams, sponsors, and media groups decode what fans truly feel, think, and expect—delivering insights that drive smarter decisions on and off the court.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Euroleague Final Four was a landmark moment for Greek basketball, and Palowise was there to capture the voice of the fans in real time. Our sentiment analysis shows just how emotionally invested Greek audiences are—and how quickly sentiment can shift depending on performance and expectations.
