Panathinaikos edged Red Star 70-64, for day 1 of the Sofia tournament. As of now it is awaiting the winner of the clash between Barcelona and Lukoil Akademik, to face tomorrow at 19.00h.
Panathinaikos stepped out on court behind Kitchen, Bramos, Maciulis, Panko and Schortsanitis. First few competitive recognition moments on both sides of the floor expired behind little offenses, many turnovers and a low score accumulation (8-8, 7’40’’).Gradually both opponents tried to establish a pace, Panathinaikos attempting once more to apply exactly what it is after for this season: Pressure in defense, leading the rival to mistakes in order to get to the easy basket; all this, as always, behind team effort.
Greatest obstacle appeared in offense, something quite natural for first tough friendly game of the season. The greens however, in the absence of Diamantidis and Ukic, were in control of matters on court. They led for the greatest part of the first half, Mike Bramos stealing the show in frontcourt behind 3-for-3 triples, provided from great collaborations. An issue for Argyris Pedoulakis, were personal fouls charged relatively early to the pair of big guys he used initially, Schortsanitis and Armstrong.
The gap for the greens was priced at a 9 point margin (32-23), game recommencing. The next two minutes however, were entirely Serbian affairs, as they got game behind mainly long distance shots, managing to totally balancing things out on court (36-36, 26’). Response came immediately though. 45-37 formed on the score board, greens to lead, then to become 47-39, manner behind which third quarter rested. Things only got better for Panathinaikos next, as it exploited Schortsanitis, Panko joined the party; Kitchen to commit a very mature game only for the ante to be upped even more, +17 at 37’ (68-51). The greens slowed down in the last few minutes but could be faced with any kind of a threat, game ending 70-64.
Quarters: 14-12, 30-23, 47-39, 70-64
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 11, Panko 9, Maciulis 11, Armstrong 2, Tsartsaris 2, Kitchen 10, Xanthopoulos 3, Giannopoulos 4, Skordilis, Schortsanitis 18
Red Star (Lazic): Covic 4, Cvetkovic 7, Mitrovic, Savovic 11 (1), Radivojevic 10 (2), Rakocevic 11 (1), Katic 5, Subotic 2, Simonovic 1, Almond 6, Smiljanic, Brown 14.
