Panathinaikos presented two different faces, turned tables in a clash which seemed to be a lost cause, came thiiiis close to winning, only to be ultimately defeated by Efes Pilsen at the Sinan Erdem arena by 79-78 in an encounter determined in the clutch, Euroleague game 9.
Worst tip-off presentation possible for Panathinaikos in the Sinan Erdem dome. In an almost packed arena, it allowed Efes Pilsen’s fans to start festivities in their stands, as the score board recorded a hasty 13-0 run (2’30’’) behind Thornton and Vujicic. Coach Obradovic had already been forced at 1’25’’ to request a time-out. The Turks however went all the way up to a majestic +16 cushion (19-3, 5’25’’) the greens lying low at under double digits score accumulation in the first quarter (21-7), having got game breaker bucket of the eve in at 3’20’’, Ian Vougioukas scoring to 13-2. Defining elements of the whole situation were 6-1 rebounds at 7’, Efes Pilsen also presenting 3-for-3 triples (5-for-8 at half-time, 1-for-5 respectively for the clover, also featuring uncommon to its nature 44% in two-point shots, 8-for-18).
Panathinaikos tried to pick up the slack, Obradovic swapping players continuously, in order to establish the solutions to aid his team in presenting an improved image on the floor. It cut the trail down to 12 (21-9, 10’45’’) but a pair of threes off Bostjan Nachbar cruised Efes Pilsen to go up by 18 points a distance (27-9, 12’). Romain Sato gave it his best shot, however Igor Rakocevic was on a roll and chipped in to his team’s tally, so as to step away from its guest to 34-16 (16’20’’), Thornton making 42-24, half-time score.
If it would have been any other team, it could have regarded the game determined. Not Panathinaikos though. It came up a different squad in the second half, the Turks felt defense, triples swooshed the net and results showed up on court, Obradovic trying out light formations, one could say being forced to do so, using Perperoglou at PF position or Fotsis as center. The latter stepped up to present the clover with a huge breather, acting exquisitely at both ends of the court. The greens crept up to a 2 point distance (55-53, 29’10’’), only for third quarter to conclude at 59-56, Drew Nicholas making a couple of triples in only 50’. The aforementioned was the culprit to introduce Panathinaikos to the game’s lead (59-61), only for Vougioukas to go the extra mile to an even more expanded gap to 61-65 (33’). Tunceri nevertheless shared baskets with Thornton to go for a 5-0 run, offering the lead back to Efes Pilsen (66-65, 34’10’’), Tsartsaris being sent off to pine-time, having been charged with a 4th personal foul.
Diamantidis pulled a three from way down-town to jog the score to 66-68 (34’40’’), Tunceri answered (69-68, 35’), seeing on to Vougioukas marking 69-70 (35’20’’) off a steal. The game continued with opponents going neck-in-neck, Obradovic making substitution after substitution. At 37’40’’ first tie of the battle was recorded (74-74), Rakocevic made 76-74 (38’40’’). Diamantidis established another draw from the line (76-76, 38’50’’), Rakocevic and Fotsis copied each other’s missed attempts, Thornton drew a foul (1-fo-2 free throws) to 77-76, 24’ pending on the game clock. 3’’6 left the captain roared his presence on the floor yet again! He made a two-point shot to get the greens in the lead once more (77-78), alas Kerem Tunceri penetrated to mark final 79-78, Efes Pilsen’s game.
Quarters: 21-7, 42-24, 59-56, 79-78
Referees: Garcia Gonzales (ESP), Ryzhyk (UKR), Rocha (POR)
Efes Pilsen (Perasovic): Wisniewski, Rakocevic 18, Roberts, Tunceri 15, Thornton 15, Gonlum 10, Vujcic 10, Nachbar 11, Guler
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic, Perperoglou 7, Fotsis 9, Sato 11 (7df), Nicholas 8, Tsartsaris 2, Diamantidis 17 (9as), Vougioukas 18, Calathes, Kaimakoglou 6
Obradovic: “Shame…”
Zeljko Obradovic was unable and unwilling to hide his irritation after the encounter. He referred to 2 different sides and two different games, using the word “shame” for his team’s performance in the first half of the game across form Efes Pilsen. “It was a catastrophe but also shameful the manner in which we stepped out on court… Immensely shameful, because I have stated it in the past and I will state it once more, this team has to fight… Every player individually, is a player of quality, a player not necessarily of this caliber (Euroleague stature), but everyone is special… He must try to perform at not 100% but 120% every moment of the game. As I say it. This was the issue from the beginning of the encounter. It was the issue because it is difficult for me to take in that we were at 8-0 at 1’30’’ though had zero fouls, 17-5 at 2’, still again no fouls… I don’t know what to say. Believe me. I don’t know what to say. And the truth is that our reaction in the second half was OK. For example Fotsis was an entirely different person. So my question is “why”?. Why? Did we not prepare? Did we say something different about how to attack across from Efes, how to defend Efes’s offense, bla, bla,bla? That’s it… Ok? I told them “congratulations” for the second half, but I told them what I am saying here now. Shame on us for the way we competed in the first half and if we continue like this… IF we continue like this, in this manner, the way we played in the first half, in another game, this season will be a catastrophe for us. Catastrophe… Catastrophe… It will be a catastrophe if we continue to play like this. The way we played was a catastrophe. That’s it… Nothing more…”
Coach Obradovic was asked the reason he went to the officials of the game after the encounter and what exactly was it that he requested: “I requested a replay. The referee stated the basket to be in time. I don’t know… We will have to see it. If they started the clock correctly. We have the time to check it out. And we also believe that Tunceri committed a traveling violation. But I am not sure so I do not want to comment on something I might be making a mistake about. What I can say is that it was a game in which it was apparent that Efes came out to fight. For them it was a qualifying game. For us… What was it for us? Are we waiting for another chance? What are we waiting for? This is a mentality which we must change. If someone does not wish to change it, let him tell us… It is shameful. Our starters initially. And certain players who came off the bench must comprehend that they belong to the team. They must follow the game plan. The plan was what it was and according to that we went off to play. We did not change the plan at half-time. It was the same in the second half. So don’t try to do something you are not prepared to do. OK? Stick to the plan the team already has…"
