Panathinaikos came very close to victory but ultimately was faced with defeat by Khimki in Russia behind 78-77 final game score in THY Euroleague game 10 and final game day in the league’s regular season.
The game went neck in neck throughout almost its entire duration. Khimki was the team to manage to mount advantages during the clash, but on every occasion the clover found the way to react and upset the played out scenario. The beginning of the game provided the Russians as the better opponent on court, seeing that the Greens were faced with an extra issue. Due to traffic in Moscow, a root which can be committed in 30 minutes to the most, lasted 1 hour and 55 minutes, result being the team to arrive at the court 20 minutes prior to the games scheduled tip-off. The organizers ruled only a 5 minute delay of the encounter’s start something which certainly had an effect on the team.
The Russians led (7-4, 3’), Panathinaikos returned (7-8, 4’40’’) but trailed again by 7 (19-12 at 8’36’’ and 21-14 at 10’). During the second quarter the Greens balanced things out again on the floor, crept up to 2 (23-21, 12’40’’) only then to tie with Khimki (27-27, 14’), before flying ahead (27-28, 14’10’’). The Russians responded and managed during the last minutes of the first half to bring their opponents within 7 points (46-39).
The gap between teams expanded game recommencing, it was re-priced at 11 points a distance (54-43, 23’12’’) and remained in such a level. In the last three minutes of the quarter Dimitris Diamantidis stepped up. Behind 8 consecutive personal points 58-49 (26’40’’) shifted to 58-57 (28’)only for the quarter to end at 61-59.
The lead swapped hands throughout almost the entire fourth quarter (61-61 at 31’13’’, 64-64 at 32’50’’). Two minutes prior to the final buzzer Banks tied (72-72), with 37’’ pending on the game clock Diamantidis was charged with un unsportsmanlike foul, while only 15’’ prior to the end of the clash the Panathinaikos’ bench was charged with a double technical foul something that ultimately sealed the winning deal in favor of Khimki, final score 78-77.
Let it be noted that already from 27’ Kostas Tsartsaris and Stephane Lasme had been both charged with 4 personal fouls while Sofoklis Schortsanitis during his very first personal play on the floor felt pain in the sole of his foot and remained sidelined for the rest of the game. Schortsanitis, Tsartsaris too, who felt pain in his lower back, will both be undergoing examinations tomorrow upon the team’s return (12.10) to Athens.
Referees: Garcia Ortiz (ESP), Zamojski (POL), Javor (SLO)
Quarters: 21-14, 46-39, 61-59, 78-77
Khimki (Κουρτινάιτις): Augustine 2, Fridzon 13, Vyaltsev 6, Loncar 10, Rivers 12, Monya 6, Khvostov, Zhukanenko, Planinic 16, Davis 13, Nielsen
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 4, Panko 6, Maciulis 15, Lasme 19 (8rbs), Tsartsaris 2, Diamantidis 14 (5stls, 6as), Kitchen 2, Banks 15, Skordilis, Schortsanitis
Pedoulakis: “Proud of my players”
Panathinaikos Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, stated after the end of the encounter: “The first thing I would like to state is that I am proud of these guys, under the circumstances the game was committed. We had only 20 minutes to prepare when arriving at the court. During the first half we were bad, especially in defense. We paced ourselves during the second half despite Schortsanitis’ issue and the fouling trouble behind Lasme and Tsartsaris’ personals. We stayed alive in the game, fought at it, were better, but mistakes were committed. Panathinaikos is a new team being built and its character is one that wants to win. We are a team which fights at every minute. I believe that we won the game. We feel winners. We must focus on what is to be. We must incorporate Banks even further and Kapono. We must examine Schortsanitis’ case and define its severity. We are going onto the next Euroleague phase which is tougher stronger. We are on this voyage and we shall see where we shall reach. We want the best. Many players are performing in Euroleague for the first time, tough moments our bound to exist and we have no idea how these very players might live up to expectations”.
