Panathinaikos is currently one step away from the title. The “Greens” hitched their wagon to a star and collected finding almost no opponent to confront in the choco-blocked OAKA arena they crushed Olympiakos by 91-64 and need only one more victory to conquer its 7th consecutive Greek League championship. The series returns to game 1 arena, the Stadium of Peace and Friendship. The exact day and time are pending to be officially announced by HEBA (Hellenic Basketball Association).
Tip-off found the hosts edgy , the encounter being balanced between both sides in the first few minutes, Nicholas and Printezis being the respective players for each team to break into the score-board. Olympiakos was on top until 4’25’’ when “Vspan” Spanoulis buried the equalizer for the “clover” (10-10), the latter’s team being the one now taking over in the clash. Many substitutions from both benches, it is enough to mention that up to minute 7 coach Obradovic had cleared off 10 out of 12 players, whilst the reds had used 9 players. All this as the gap between the two expanded and the “Greens” closed first quarter ahead by 10 (21-11).
Things didn’t change much come second period. Panathinaikos had first say on all matters on the floor, it held firmly on to its superlative being the better opponent in every statistic category and determent not to permit a single ball unchallenged. Overwhelming zealous in backcourt was instrumented and in offense when there was patience and concentration score board was there to validate the effort. The visitors got within 4 points thrice (26-22 at 15’, 28-24 at 16’15’’, 30-26 at 17’) nevertheless the “Greens” were always present to prevent from leaving an attempt unanswered, at 19’15’’ mounting to their greatest advantage in the battle up to now +13 (39-26) before the teams headed towards the locker rooms featuring the “reds” trailing by 10 (39-29).
Half-time stats for Panathinaikos and Olympiakos: 18-15 rebounds, 6-8 turnovers, 5-6 assists, 3-2 steals, 3-1 blocks and shots were for the home-team 10/20 twos, 4/9 threes, 7/8 free shots, the guests 1/2 free shots, 5/12 twos and 3/9 threes.
The match-up recommencing hosted only one team; the “clover” found its groove and seemed almost unstoppable, creating a more than cozy cushion of 20 points (58-38) at 27’30’’, continuously adding to its tally all the way up to +24, 30 minutes having been played in the game (65-41) when Saras decided to dial long distance at the end of the third quarter and chipped in another two buckets at the beginning of the fourth period to sail the “clover” to 69-42 (31’30’’). He and his teammates did not remain at this. They held the pedal to the metal as Spanoulis sent the edge to a new vicinity (+30, 75-45 at 34’) and Dusan Sakota came off the bench on a fire and nailed 8 consecutive points to lead Panathinaikos even farer away from its rival (+32, 85-53 at 38’10’’). Final curtain fell in views of the closing score 91-64 as the crowd sent off the European champs in a festive manner and all players on court withdrew quietly and serenely from the court.
Referees: Koukoulekidis-Mouzakis-Koromilas
Quarters: 21-11, 39-29, 65-41, 91-64
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Kecman, Spanoulis 10, Perperoglou 4, Batiste 18, Fotsis 4, Hatzivrettas 2, Nicholas 11, Tsartsaris 3, Diamantidis 8 (8rbs), Pekovic 10, Sakota 8, Jasikevicius 13
Olympiakos (Yannakis): Papaloukas 5, Pelekanos, Childress 8, Vujcic 2, Bourousis 15, Halperin 7, Greer 4, Schortsanitis, Printezis 9, Erceg, Teodosic 14
*Vassilis Spanoulis dished one ball but it was all that was needed for him to reach Jaka Lakovic at the respective all time category in Panathinaikos’ Greek League history, let it be noted that he achieved this having competed one year less than the Slovenian guard! They are currently “roomies” at the 6th place with 395 assists.
