Performing its best overall encounter up to date, Panathinaikos with energy, defense, passion and balance managed to down Real Madrid by 79-68 in THY Euroleague Game 6.
A somewhat numb tip-off performance was what brought Panathinaikos to trail in the clash versus Real Madrid (2-7, 2’42’’). Even when the Greens tried to look the Spaniards eye to eye (7-7, 4’05’’) counteraction was immediate off the hosted who grabbed the game reigns back to a slight edge (9-16, 7’16’’). Meanwhile Sofoklis Schortsanitis was getting into fouling trouble early, having been charged already with two personals. In any event the clover was determined. Good defense turned into a weapon for Panathinaikos that which all recognize as a Real Madrid weapon: Fast break. Behind all sorts of protagonists it ran a sweet 9-0 streak (18-16, 11’54’’) being wholeheartedly cheered on by the crowd all through the process. The Spanish got back in the driver’s seat once more (18-21, 13’10’’), but it was obvious that the Panathinaikos players had established a pace. Pressure in backcourt was step one, balance in frontcourt provided the correct solutions, collaborations existed, all this resulting in the Greens to mount a nice +11 cushion: Initially at 37-26 (18’30’’) and yet again at 40-29 (19’20’’) slightly prior to game going into half time recess at 42-35 off a triple by Rudy Fernandez at the buzzer.
First few minutes in the second half of the clash found the guests struggling to return in the game, actually closing the gap down to 5 (42-37, 21’15’’). Panathinaikos was so there and its answer was input immediately and effectively, as the ante to its advantage was upped all the way to a 14 point superlative on its opponents (51-37, 23’14’’). Energy and passion that the Greens were unraveling in every play was the very thing to drive them on the floor whilst aiding in the gap to be renamed at a 15 point distance (61-46, 28’20’’) third quarter to rest at 65-52. The gap fell back to a single digits price for the first time after 25’ (51-42) at 32’46’’ (69-60) but response was given through an exceptional connection between Diamantidis-Lasme lead led once more to +11 an edge (71-60, 34’18’’).The visitors crept up behind yet another shot beyond the arc to 71-64 (36’).But… alas… Panathinaikos was… Panathinaikos. A swift 6-0 brought the “court”back to order for a 77-64 (37’), Panko appealing to the basket. Let it be noted that the first foul on Real was called only at 36’47’’ in the fourth period, on Llull, his 5th personal into the bargain. Matters had already been ruled on the floor though; victory was a one way street allowing the right of way only to Panathinaikos, team to ultimately prevail behind final game score 79-68.
Referees: Jovcic (SRB), Dozai (CRO), Mogulkoc (TUR)
Quarters: 12-16, 42-35, 65-52, 79-68
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 9 (5df), Panko 14 (8rbs), Maciulis 12, Armstrong, Ukic 11, Lasme 15 (8rbs, 2bs), Diamantidis 7 (8as, 2bs), Kitchen 9, Xanthopoulos, Skordilis, Schortsanitis 2
Real Madrid (Laso): Draper 3, Fernandez 3, Pocius 5, Suarez 16, Reyes 4, Mirotic 6, Rodriguez 3, Hernangomez, Begic 6, Carroll 9, Llull 8, Slaughter 5
*Kostas Tsartsaris remained sidelined, not having ultimately overcome his injury (sprained ankle).
