Panathinaikos is counting two wins in two games in the Greek League and now the challenge of the Euroleague is arising. Mike Batiste and Dusan Kecman talked about the game against Kolossos in Rhodes and the next day that bring along the game against Zalgiris Kaunas on Wednesday in OAKA (19.00)
Batiste talked about the key of the game against Kolossos: “We faced the game seriously. We prepared ourselves very well, we watched DVD’s of how they are playing and we had in mind that we are facing a dangerous team. We played well in Rhodes, we had good rhythm and good defence and we played as a team”.
Regarding the zone defence and the reaction of Panathinaikos, Batiste stated: “Many teams chose to play zone defence against us, believing that it’s an effective weapon against us. We have worked very much on this part of the game, because we believe that many teams will do the same. We reacted well in the zone defence of Kolossos, but we can get better. We have to get better, because in our course this year we are going to face stronger opponents, who will be more effective in defence. We have to have the keys to respond”.
The 31years old American is already thinking about the premier of Euroleague against Zalgiris Kaunas: “We wanted to step on the court on the right foot. We wanted to be better than in the first game of the League against Maroussi, as we are heading for the first game of Euroleague. It’s a big game for us. We want to show in the first game that we are better comparing last season. We are in a good track and we are playing in our home, with our fans. I believe that everything will turn out fine!”
“Like in Rhodes”
Dusan Kecman got a first taste of the fans of Panathinaikos in Rhodes and now is looking forward for the premier of Euroleague and the first game as Panathinaikos’ player in OAKA with fans on the stands. The Serb is walking all the way from the game against Kolossos to the one against Zalgiris: “In Rhodes we started out well. On the other hand we faced in the right way the defence of Kolossos that gave us easy baskets in the fast break. I believe that in the first half we played great and we got away with a 24 points margin. In the second half we played in the same rhythm, we were effective in defence and we made the right decisions in offence. The combination was the key for us to maintain the difference and get the win. All games are useful and can serve as a guide for the future. We reacted very well against the zone defense, something important, since we have to be effective against all kind of defenses. We must do the same thing against Zalgiris. This is the game for us now. We are going to prepare ourselves, we are going to watch video, we’ll talk and we are going to be ready for our first Euroleague game, the first in our home with fans!”
