Panathinaikos got its first off season trophy. After the one in Serbia, the “greens” lifted another cup in Moscow by beating CSKA 78-72, at the final of “Alexander Gomelsky” tournament. The two teams will meet again in OAKA on October 11th, at 19.00 in a game that will be the last for Fragkiskos Alvertis as a basketball player.
Panathinaikos got a 7-0 (3’25’’) and a 11-2 (4’25’’) lead early in the game, but nothing was going to be easy for the two teams. CSKA took advantage of its behind the arc shots, got close (10-11) and later in the game reached a 7point lead (27-20, 13’20’’). The reaction was immediate: A partial 12-0 by Panathinaikos, with Spanoulis and Nicholas shooting for three, helped their team to gain the lead again (27-32, 16’45’’). During the second quarter only, the “green” duo scored five 3pointers.
CSKA followed closely, getting solutions in offense from JR Holden to get the lead twice in the game (52-51/27’10’’, 54-53/28’10’’). The second time was the last that the Russians had the lead. Panathinaikos got up to +8 (58-66/31’50’’, 69-77/38’) on its road to the final 72-78.
Quarters: 17-17, 35-37, 55-61, 72-78
CSKA Moscow (Pashutin): Kurbanov 9, Siskauskas 6, Holden 14, Zabelin 6, Ponkrasov 2, Voroncevic 3, Langdon 17, Sokolov 2, Planinic 6, Radenovic
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic 1, Spanoulis 17, Perperoglou 2, Fotsis 5, Nicholas 9, Tsartsaris 16, Diamantidis 6, Pekovic 22, Calathes, Bogris
*Giorgi Shermadini didn’t play after suffering a fracture at his nose during the game against Triumph.
*For the 3rd place: Lietuvos Rytas-Triumph 94-90 (77-77).
Obradovic: “See each other in Athens”
Zeljko Obradovic (coach, Panathinaikos): “It was a hard win to get, but at the same it was a very good game. We performed much better comparing to the game against Triumph, as we had the chance to practice all together in the morning. I have to give congratulations to my players for the way they played. Being still in preparation time, I must say that the game was one of a high level. Equal to an official game. We knew that in such a game the final result is not of great importance, but we wanted the win and we got it. I know that CSKA is lacking three key players such as Smodis, Khryapa and Kaun. I believe that with these three playes CSKA can achieve a lot this year too. At the same moment I must say that we missed three important players too. I have to repeat that I am happy to be here and that we are going to face each other again in Athens in the game to honor Fragkiskos Alvertis. Thank you very much for the hospitality”.
Evgeny Pashutin (coach, CSKA M.): “It was a very important tournament with very strong opponents. It is a big help for us to play against Panathinaikos in the preseason. This kind of meetings attracts the interest of many people. We have a number of injuries but the young players got their chance. We still have to improve our defense, half-court offense, but we still have time. Team is lacking collective game: Siskauskas practices for two days after the injury, Radenovic joined the team only two days ago too, and I am drawing the plays for him during the timeouts."
