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Panathinaikos' Matt Lojeski (R) vies with Caroll Jaycee of Real Madrid during the match of Euroleague playoff between Panathinaikos and Real Madrid at the Athens Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece, on April 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Lefteris Partsalis)

ATHENS, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Greece's Panathinaikos achieved a victory by 95-67 against Spain's Real Madrid in the first playoff of the basketball Euroleague here on Tuesday.

The Greens who had ranked fourth in the regular season, had the advantage of hosting the game at Athens Olympics Sports center (OAKA) and from the beginning enjoyed a widening lead over their guests.

Best among Panathinaikos players were Mike James with 24 points and Nick Kalathis with 11, while Tray Thompkins shined in the ranks of Real Madrid with 12 points.

The two teams will face each other again on Thursday at the same stadium. They need three victories in the playoffs to win the ticket for the final four after six years.