Panathinaikos got another positive result in a preparation game, by defeating 66-62 Triumph, during the first day of “Alexander Gomelsky” tourmanent in Moscow. The team had to face Shermadini’s injury, with 20’’ in the game and the given absentees of Mike Batiste and Sarunas Jasikevicius.
The game gave the technical staff the chance to try a lot of things and to make a lot of remarks. Triumph was better during the first period, getting an early lead (5-0) and then a 9point lead at the end of the first period (24-15). Russians continued scoring, but Panathinaikos was getting better, finally getting even too (24-24 at 13’15’’, 27-27 at 13’50’’). The “greens” got the first lead through an offensive rebound and a 2pt shot by Yorgos Bogris (33-34, 18’). Two minutes later Vassilis Spanoulis stole the ball and led to another tie in the game (36-36) at halftime.
Beside the fact that already on the 21st minute of the game Nikola Pekovic had already four fouls, Panathinaikos seemed to be getting control of the game. A two minute inerrable game led to a 10point lead (38-48, 24’). Triumph reacted immediately behind the arc, got a partial 12-0, in order to get back in hand of the game (50-48, 26’10’’).
Neither Panathinaikos, nor Triumph were able to get a secure lead during the fourth quarter. Drew Nicholas scored (62-64, 38’45’’), Dimitris Diamantidis had a block shot and a defensive rebound, keeping the ball in green hands, while Spanoulis with two free throws helped for the final 62-66.
Quarters: 24-15, 36-36, 52-49, 62-66
Triumph (Eremin): Rush 23, Shabalkin 11, Vyaltsev 2, Sergeev 3, Valiev, Panin 19, Nesterov 4, Vorotnikov
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic, Spanoulis 10, Perperoglou 2, Fotsis 10, Nicholas 12, Tsartsaris 6, Diamantidis 1, Pekovic 16, Calathes 5, Shermadini, Bogris 4
Zeljko Obradovic: “We were expecting this game to be tough. We have only two practices all together, since yesterday we missed our practice due to the delay we had with our flight. It was a practice that we wanted to work on certain things. It’s good for us to have such games in our schedule during preparation. Triumph is a Euroleague-level team, with talented players in its roster and a big motive. It was normal to have these turnovers. The most important is that my players played with passion for the win. We are sad for Giorgi Shermadini and his injury. We’ll how will it go”.
X-rays for Shermadini
Giorgi Shermadini was the unlucky of the night. He was in the starting five for Panathinaikos, but just 20’’ later he headed for the bench, with an injury at this nose, that later was proved to be a fracture. He went to the hospital, escorted by the team doctor, Thanasis Konidis. The first estimation is that he will miss 7-10 days of practice.
Tomorrow the second game
Panathinaikos will face CSKA Moscow tomorrow at 18.30. Lietuvos Rytas and Triumph will play for the 3rd place (16.00). CSKA Moscow beat Lietuvow Rytas today in the second game of the tournament 74-67.
