Barcelona was the winner of the 2012 THY Euroleague Final 4 3rd place encounter, final score 69-74, in a game with no essential essence, Panathinaikos already focusing on what’s next: The Greek League Finals.
Panathinaikos led first (3-0 at 1’, 6-5 at 3’20’’), but the ensuing clash was all Barcelona game. It took control over issues on court. First it based its efforts on three pointers behind Marcelinho Huertas, next Wallace and Ingles chipped in but it also got to many second chance baskets as it gathered offensive rebounds one after the other. The Catalans managed even to sum up an 11 point cushion at half-time (37-48). The Greens tried to cut back their losses, the ante dropped to 4 points (45-46, 26’30’’), matters in rebounding balanced out, but still Barcelona got away, bringing their opponents within 9 points a gap (52-61, 31’). Zeljko Obradovic watched as his players fought to creep back to a 4 point shadow from their rivals (69-73, 39’45’’), but the victory lay in Spanish possession, game score 69-74.
Panathinaikos competed having Sarunas Jasikevicius sidelined (calf pain and it was preferred he be rested), while Barcelona had its own absentee, Juan Carlos Navarro remaining sidelined due to tarsal pain.
Panathinaikos returns to Athens tomorrow, next practice in view of the finals scheduled for Tuesday (May 15) afternoon at the OACA indoor arena.
Referees: Ankarali (TUR), Lottermoser (GER), Latisevs (LAT)
Quarters: 20-21, 37-48, 52-58, 69-74
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Maric 13, Perperoglou 2, Batiste 2, Logan 11, Sato, Tsartsaris 4, Diamantidis 17, Vougioukas 4, Calathes N. 9, Smith 1, Kaimakoglou 6
Barcelona (Pascual): Sada 5, Huertas 21, Perovic 2, Vazquez 6, Wallace 12, Ingles 13, Ndong 2, Rabaseda 4, Lorbek, Eidson 5, Mickeal 4
