Panathinaikos qualified on to the Euroleague play-offs. Defeating Unicaja Malaga in Spain by 77-61 presented it with a second place ticket of the group, as Caja Laboral beat Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuania . In the quarterfinals it will be facing Barcelona lacking however home court advantage.
Zeljko Obradovic deciden on starting off behind Tepic-Sato-Kaimakoglou-Tsartsaris and Vougioukas as his initial 5, across from Blackney-Fitch-Tripkovic-Printezis and Freeland, while during the first quarter he had already sent off into battle 10 out of 12 players at his disposal. Both teams, swapped places in the driver’s seat as far as the lead went. Panathinaikos appeared to have first say on the court, however it could not manage to contain its opponent as far as scoring went in the game. It led (6-9 at 3’10’’, 8-11 at 3’45’’), the Spaniards responded (12-11, 5’), but from that point forward the clover maintained the lead, mounted a sweet +7 cushion at 8’ (12-19), before first quarter ended 18-23, Diamantidis, Nicholas, Perperoglou, Fotsis and Batiste currently on court.
Drew Nicholas got the greens up by 8 (20-28, 12’13’’), posing as a threat not only from the perimeter but also behind mid distance shots and penetrations, providing with further solutions. Unicaja Malaga kept at it, knowing that it stood to lose nothing, having already been disqualified from the tournament. Freeland picked up the slack to 3 (27-30, 15’40’’), but luckily enough Nicholas found himself in familiar territory heaving in a three from beyond the arc (27-33, 17’). Almost at the fulfillment of the half time and as the offense clock was running out of time for Unicaja Malaga the referees charged a foul to Ian Vougioukas. Freeland headed towards the line to make perfect use out of a pair of free throws after the referees check out things on the instant replay in order to certify their call in the specific play, hence half time score 33-38.
Calathes, Nicholas, Sato, Fotsis and Vougioukas were the players who found themselves on the floor, game recommencing, home-team respectively opting for Blakney, Almazan, Fitch, Freeland and Sinanovic. Diamantidis almost exactly as he returned to action pulled a way down town trifecta to cruise the clover on to +9 (37-46, 25’20’’), Fotsis following him off a great ball circulation offense to sent the gap into double digits for the first time in the clash (+11, 37-48, 26’). Panathinaikos had stretched its efforts and was enforcing full court pressure, making a nightmare out of every Unicaja Malaga’s attempt. The green captain also set +14 an edge (37-51, 26’40’’) from the charity line, Mike Batiste scoring next to +16 (37-53, 28’25’’).
Nichoals and Diamantidis shared threes to 41-59 (32’, +19). The Spanish threw in the towel, tried though to cut the trail (50-61, 35’10’’) off a three behind Freeland and three free throws from Fitch. Long haul shots provided the clover with solutions once more. Calathes, Perperoglou and Fotsis all got range from the three (50-69, 36’50’’), game ultimately sealed at final 61-77.
Referees: Pukl (SLO), Taurino (ITA), Lottermoser (GER)
Quarters: 18-23, 33-38, 41-53, 61-77
Unicaja Malaga (Mateo): Rodriguez, Printezis, Almazan 7, Tripkovic 5, Blackney 8, Sinanovic 12, Rubio 2, Freeland 12, McIntyre, Fitch 12, Blanco 3
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic, Perperoglou 6, Batiste 10, Fotsis 9, Sato 7, Nicholas 18, Tsartsaris 4, Diamantidis 15 (8rbs), Vougioukas 2, Calathes 3, Bogris, Kaimakoglou 3
*Panathinaikos did not compete alone at the “Martin Carpena”. It had 20 friends of the team who traveled along, praise to having won in purchase point collection through the PAO BC Eurobank Mastercard. They were not the only ones though, since 60 accumulated green fans took the trip to Malaga for the matchup.
Obradovic: “It was a matter of life and death”
Zeljko Obradovic congratulated all of his players after the end of the encounter for the victory versus Unicaja Malaga, but essentially for the manner in which they competed, made special reference to Nick Calathes, as an example of how he must play and characterized Barcelona , Panathinaikos’s next opponent, as a favorite.
“I had stated that today’s encounter was a final, a matter of life and death for us. We got to the victory we needed and are currently in the final 8 of the Euroleague. From the first second we proved how much we wanted to win the clash, we competed well and I am pleased from our team’s presence, especially in defense but offense too. It is easy to recognize that all played with great concentration and high motive. Something I must stand at the way Calathes competed in the second half. It is the fashion in which we hope to see him compete. We got aid off all our players. The entire team chopped in for the final result”.
Obradovic was then questioned on what’s next, stressing “I have no idea”, when he was asked about the result in the game Lietouvos Ritas-Caja Laboral. Next rival will be Barcelona : “We still have time to think about that game. We know that it is European champion with a roster, not the same, but a more improved one than last year, when it conquered the title. It could very possibly be the only team that kept, even maybe enhanced its roster. We do have time though until that game and we will prepare when the time comes. One thing is certain, it is the big favorite”.
