Stadium: Palau Blaugrana
Tickets: 7000
This was the greatest win – until the next! Panathinaikos had the guts of a champion and “the heart of a thousand lions” tonight in “Palau Blaugrana”, achieving a great win by 56-55, and in essence guaranteeing first place in the group – breaking Barcelona΄s unbeaten home record at the same time. It was a thrilling game just by the way Panathinaikos came back at times when this was deemed impossible. The quality of the game is not memorable but Zeliko Obradovic has every reason to be proud for his players and their fighting spirit they showed until the very end. The game was decided with the last shot – Bazile missed it but PAO had earlier made huge efforts to come to this point. Panathinaikos were not good in the first half with many turnovers and bad percentages. With Kostas Tsartsaris having one of his best nights and showing the way in offense, PAO managed to overcome their bad start (5΄, 9-4) and take the lead for the first time in the 8th (11-12) with 2/2 three-pointers by the “Icelander”, taking a 3-point lead in the 11th (15-18). An incredible black-out at this point resulted in PAO not scoring for almost 7 minutes (!) allowing Barcelona to take an 11-point lead (18΄ 29-18) – thanks to an explosive Grimau that changed Barcelona΄s picture upon his entrance. Dimitris Dimanatidis was the one to score 5 consecutive points (29-23), and the half time ended with Barcelona ahead by 8 (31-23). The second half was exciting with the home team having control and PAO being improved in offense and defense, especially after Nikos Chatzivretas entered the court! The margin started to go down and indeed in the 29th PAO took the lead for the first time (40-44) – the third period ended with the two teams tied at 44. In the 33rd Barcelona took a 51-44 lead, but PAO replied quickly and with Tsartsaris and Chatzivrettas three-pointers they took a 51-52 lead in the 36th. Nervousness on both sides highlighted the rest of the game with Vassilis Spanoulis making a crucial three-pointer 38 seconds before the end, giving his team the lead by 54-55! A Grimau turnover 18 seconds before the end and 1/2 Diamantidis free throws give PAO a 2-point lead with 15 seconds remaining. Grimau again misses a free throw 8 seconds before the end and after some scrambling under PAO΄s basket the rebound goes to Bazile who missed a buzzer three pointer, allowing Panathinaikos to grab their greatest Euroleague win this season.
