Panathinaikos celebrated its 12th Greek Cup. The “greens” must now “turn the page” as Dimitris Itoudis is metaphorically saying, since the schedule has more tough games to come; first game in the row the one against Lottomatica Roma for the 4th day of Euroleague Top16. The team will depart from Athens tomorrow at 19.15 for the Italian capital. The first practice heading for the game against Bodiroga’s, Gentile’s and Becirovic’s team will take place tomorrow at noon.
Zeljko Obradovic’s assistant talked about the final of the Greek Cup against Olympiakos and also about the games to follow. “We are obviously very happy for the title and for dealing in the best possible way during a game that had too many lead-changes. We handled every situation in a very mature way. We read into our opponents’ game, the opposite defense, we diagnosed on time who was free to make the shots, when we must go to the low post, when to penetrate, when to play the pick n’ roll. That’s why these players play for Panathinaikos. Diamantidis was amazing but other players were very effective as well. Like Perperoglou who created for his teammates, but executed as well, went for the rebounds and played hard in defense. Spanoulis and Jasikevicius were the abolishers creating for the others. Fotsis and Batiste had a really good game. Our reaction was the most suitable for a game of such importance. We were calm enough, even when we fell behind in the score with the game on the edge, to react in the best possible way”.
“They are two completely different games”
The peculiarity is that the two teams will face each other in a week, this time for the Greek League. “They are two completely different games. Same opponents, “fresh” memories, it’s more than obvious that the two teams are going to study the cup final in order to find out what they did and what they did not do well, getting ready for that game. We surely have some more things to give, we have certain things in our minds, that we will embody now, because we knew that we had to keep something for the league’s game. One of the most important things the next day of the final is that we have nothing to talk about than the game itself! It was a fair victory”.
A lot of people already have their minds set on the next game against Olympiakos, but Itoudis is going step by step: “We have to face Lottomatica Roma on Thursday. It’s a crucial game for us, because a victory can lead us to the Euroleague play offs and we will be close to the first place of the group. Either you win or lose when you play a final you feel “empty” emotionally. We have to turn the switch inside of us and focus to our next goal. Not without saying congratulations to all our players, but also to all those that work daily next to them, the whole crew. They had the same will for the win the players had. They live daily with them and help them every single moment”.
