Panathinaikos was defeated in a home game at the OAKA arena 67-79 final score versus Khimki for THY Euroleague Game Day 5.
Panathinaikos was the better opponent in the first half of the game. After initial 2-3 (1’20’’)it managed to hang on to the lead and more importantly got to the aspired solutions, either from the perimeter or under the basket main executor of the hour Sofoklis Schortsanitis. The Greens closed the first quarter with an 8 point cushion (23-15, 9’20’’) and in the second quarter managed to further improve their image. The gap was named to a double digits figure for the first time (34-24, 12’50’’). Khimki unraveled first signs of counteraction. Through offensive rebounding but also off three point shots it managed to pick up the trail to the meekest of prices (34-33, 15’). Stephane Lasme fired away to +5 (38-33, 17’), game going into recess at a 41-38 standing.
The Russians were much more aggressive in the second half of the clash. Result was a first lead in the game after 1’20’’ (43-44, 22’55’’). Any kind of advantage Panathinaikos managed to form was lost in matter of seconds. Khimki led by 2 (49-51, 26’20’’), the Greens got to 54-51 (27’03’’) but the guests came back with a vengeance starting by 58-56 (28’30’’).Now in hold of the upper hand on the floor they galloped ahead to a +13 edge (59-72, 36’) sealing the clash’s case prematurely ultimately prevailing by final score 67-79.
Referees: Ankarali (TUR), Perez (ESP), Vojinovic (SRB)
Quarters: 23-17, 41-38, 58-58, 67-79
Παναθηναϊκός (Pedoulakis): Bramos 6, Panko 1, Maciulis 11, Ukic 13, Lasme 9, Tsartsaris 3, Diamantidis, Kitchen 8, Skordilis 4, Schortsanitis 12
Khimki (Kurtinaitis): Augustine 4, Fridzon 10, Koponen 12, Loncar 14, Rivers 2, Monya 4, Khvostov, Zhukanenko 2, Planinic 18, Davis 13, Nielsen
Panathinaikos coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, stressed after the game: “If we leave the first quarter aside, in the remaining 30 minutes we had very bad range. In every position. From the line, in twos, in threes. There is some pressure, it is more than obvious, since these stats are not logical, especially when playing at home. We need a game to boost our confidence. Especially in our shots. We lost our rhythm and we lost the game in three minutes time. We lost our nerve and lost control over the game. Khimki is a very tough team, with experienced players to rotate. It played well and got to a fair win”.
Rimas Kurtinaitis, Khimki coach, stated after the encounter: “I am pleased for our victory against Panathinaikos, because it is a great team, with a long history and although it might have suffered many changes in its synthesis it still remains a strong team. I would like to thank my players for the whole 40 minutes game time. It was not all that easy in the first half, especially when we were trailing 10 points, but we returned in the game and in the last quarter we had full control on court. Today we went a little faster, we had good range from the line, gathered boards and had control of the game in the second half. Once more, I thank my players a lot”.
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