Yet another final game has been recorded to Panathinaikos’s history. The seventh Euroleague Final is as of now a given fact for the clover, after the 77-69 victorious score across from Montepaschi Siena, in the first semifinal of the F4 in the Palau San Jordi of Barcelona. The greens made it once more and will be competing no matter what in the title encounter.
A rather numb start-off was not enough to deprive Panathinaikos from deriving a positive result. Zeljko Obradovic chose to head on to battle performing behind Calathes, Diamantidis, Sato, Fotsis and Vougioukas. The Italians stepped out on court determined and from tip-off it was more than apparent that they would be enforcing that which they know best: Their tough game. Something that held fast all through the entire encounter. As was clear, that main target for the Italians was to confined (not only from a range aspect but also in the creative department) and tire out Dimitris Diamantidis. Missed rebounds seemed to way heavier for Panathinaikos. At 6’ the score stood at 8-13, first quarter resting at 17-21. The clover with an escalating passion, certain solutions found, the rebound issue however remaining (13-26 during the first half) managed to close the gap. 24-30 of 16’ flexed to 35-32 behind a partial 11-2 run, changed to 39-34 both Fotsis and Calathes to score, first quarter ending 40-36.
Game recommencing, score board red 42-36, but all went still from that moment forward and for approximately 4 whole minutes. It just might have been the toughest part of the clash. Defense brought results but the ball however just didn’t swoosh the net, up until certain good shots were made to somewhat unclench Zeljko Obradovic’s players hands, the latter getting game off Nick Calathes, at occasions of dire need. The edge went into double digits (49-38, 27’). Defining element was the fact that three Montepaschi Siena players were in level 4 of fouling trouble, a price paid due to their team’s way of competing. Fotsis chipped in to get the opponent within 12 points (52-40, 28’).
The Italian team enforced pressure but Panathinaikos always measured up and maintained an important factor: It kept its cool whenever Montepaschi Siena crept up on it. It remained effective no matter what. Something that essentially jogged it to ultimate dominance and aided it in sealing the ticket on to the Euroleague Final Four, amongst celebrations and the cheers of almost 3000 friends of the team, present in the Palau San Jordi stadium who boosted their team immensely in order for it to mount to yet another honor in its star studded stride through history.
Quarters: 17-21, 36-40, 56-47, 77-69
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Perperoglou 5, Batiste 16 (7rbs.), Fotsis 14, Sato 6, Nicholas 3, Tsartsaris 2, Diamantidis 8 (9as), Vougioukas 6, Calathes 17 (6rbs, 2stl)
Montepaschi Siena (Pianigiani): McCalebb 7, Zissis 4, Hairtone 12, Carraretto 2, Rakovic 10, Lavrinovic 7, Kaukenas 13, Ress, Akindele, Jaric, Stonerook 4 (14rbs), Moss 6
