Zeljko Obradovic did not have much to say after the game with Ikaros Kallitheas, however he spoke well of the level of conviction his players instrumented.
“We tried to maintain a good level of performance in competing, playing against a team which is serious. Thus we prepared and examined our opponent down to a detail plus the weaknesses it has. This essential is the key to success. We respected our opponent, a very good team that deserves congratulations”, he stressed initially adding next about Drew Nicholas and his situation: “With only a single practice behind him it was only natural that we hoped to be able to offer him some competing time. He will train further until Wednesday’s game. It is our hope that he will be healthy and able to get it to a good practice program, because we all know that if he gets into a pace he will be fine”.
Concluding he stressed: “We play well, but it is a known fact that well’s worst opponent is better. For example today, in the second half we had many incorrect choices and what makes it even worse we committed them consecutively. We are a team that should be able to recognize certain situations, always recognize where the ball should go, especially in a set game. If we cannot do this then we have a problem. And this is what we work on every day”.
Stratos Perperoglou, who competed behind 17 points, enjoying 7-for-7 two’s and 3-for-3 free throws in the game, stated: “We hoped to commit a serious game and stepped out on court focused from minute one. We wanted to be prepared for Wednesday’s game”.
Ikaros’s Head Coach, Aris Lykogiannis, noted: “It was a game in which the team tried to enjoy as much as possible. If we leave aside first quarter in which Panathinaikos came up real tough and did not allow us to much on court; As it did in a period of time in the third quarter. We want to prepare as good as possible for the game against Iraklis”.
Lazaros Agadakos, Ikaros’s center, said: “Panathinaikos proved what a great team it is. We tried to play as much as we could. Ikaros is in the to league for the first time in its history and it was not intimidated this evening”.
