7th Day
Stadium: OAKA
Tickets: 15000
It was the toughest game so far for Panathinaikos and the players and Zeliko Obradovic were aware of it! The European Champions faced defeat from up close but in the end it was Real Madrid that lost by 92-85 thus PAO making the most decisive step for the group΄s first place; they are 2 points ahead of the Spaniards at the end of the first round! The game was thrilling with Panathinaikos trailing for most part of it; indeed they were behind 6 points in 35.30΄ (71-77), but at this point they found the mental power and the character necessary to reach this great win. In the beginning, the home team played decisively and with Mike Batiste showing the way in offense they took a 19-11 lead in the 7th, but Real΄s reply was quick with Bullock shooting from the three-point line. The Spaniards took the lead in the 13th (29-30) and the game was tight until the end of the half. Real had a 47-46 lead at half time and a 6-point lead in the 22nd (46-52) as PAO could not score easily. Real seemed to be the better team (29΄ 61-66), but Frangiskos Alvertis΄ entrance allowed his team a much wanted run, along with the consistently good Mike Batiste and the improving of Sarunas Jasikevicius who took the team on his shoulders. PAO took a 71-68 lead in the 32nd but Real with Bullock and Pelekanos replied back with a 77-71 lead 4 minutes before the end. The heart of the champions and the mental power of PAO΄s players gave them the missing solutions in offense along with an 81-80 lead in the 38th (thanks to a Saras basket). The game was practically over with a Spanoulis three-pointer 30” before the end, with a standing ovation by the 15,000 fans!
Score by periods: 26-20, 46-47, 65-68, 92-85
