The 2008 year closed action-wise for Panathinaikos with the encounter against PAOK, featuring the players of the “three-leaf-clover-team” stating that they expect much more from the year 2009, aiming for all three titles they are up for this season. So much Vassilis Spanoulis as Sarunas Jasikevicius agreed that there is still a long way down to the finals and that the way to seal a successful season is through hard work once they return to the courts after the leave days the team was granted by Zeljko Obradovic (next training is scheduled for the 27th of December).
In reference to the game against PAOK both guards focused on the total absence of defense. “We were bad in the first half, we received 50 points and it was a good thing we didn’t end up with 100 points in the end. “We were num, PAOK played well and the game’s picture formulated based on these two factors”, Spanoulis pointed out only to be succeeded by Jasikevicius: “I believe that we partied in offence but the same thing goes for PAOK. No one was able to stop anyone. Midway through the second half we gained control over the game and we left no room for our opponent to fight back”.
“Always all three titles”
Resting is now on the menu, a very important element as both say: “It will be great to get to rest both mentally and physically, to reload on our strengths since we have difficult games ahead and we hope to be prepared as every year to fight for all three titles. Panathinaikos always aims for the three titles as we have stated many times and losing one is news”, stressed the guard from Larissa before “dishing the ball” to his teammate: “Getting to go home for Christmas is a good thing. If we had to play we would have. I am sure that we will all try to have a good time and rest”.
Curtains falling for the year 2008, both view the team’s annual accumulation as positive, although their Euroleague path went down a different root that what they had initially set sail for so much for themselves in personal as for the team in a whole too: “When you conquer two titles, a season is viewed as successful. We could have done better in Euroleague and it was something that really upset us, the way things turned out. Will save it for this season! We hope to be strong and do as best as possible”, Spanoulis stated only to add in reference to what Panathinaikos has presented up to now and furthermore what the team’s fans should expect from now on: “Every season is different; for every team and for every player individually. Truth be told we have not started off the way we hoped. Other years we started out dynamically in the Euroleague and slipped later on in the tournament. We must be prepared. We work hard every day and we will work even harder when we return after the holidays to be ready when needed. Every year is different. What we hope for is to be healthy. I personally as long as I have been in the team, have never seen so many injuries and flew attacks all at the same time in Panathinaikos. So it is essential to be healthy to be able to get the team as high as we wish”.
This sentiment falls right in place with the Lithuanian guard since all he has to say conclude to the same point: “We are in first place with Olympiakos but there is still a long way to go. Anything could happen. We simply need to continue working and playing. There are still many important games ahead of us. We must take things one game at a time. Not to look down the road to the end yet; and most of all we must be healthy”. Common wish: “Good health to everyone, peace and above all love…”
