Panathinaikos is getting ready for Game 4, for Euroleague play offs. Tomorrow at 19.30, the Greens host CSKA Moscow, which leads the series 2-1. Fragkiskos Alvertis and Roko Leni Ukic spoke about the encounter, wishing to send the series in... overtime.
"There is no easy no game", Alvertis said, only to add: "All games are special. You play and then you are on for the next one. The series is now at 2-1, we have the chance to make it 2-2 and that's our goal. We expect to see if we are going to achieve this goal of ours and to go to Moscow for game 5".
Panathinaikos' coach stated that "Panathinaikos has to keep its characteristics" and he added: "We have to improve some things in offense and to have stronger desire to win".
Asked whether the team or the personalities are most important in such games, Alvertis replied: "Everything begin with the team and the team play. The most important is to play as a team. If the personalities emerge as well, it will be an important profit".
About the secrets of the such games? "There are no secrets. You have to be competitive and to have the will. Both teams are tired, all opponents are tired. The important is to maintain your focus and everything else will fall into place".
"Like american football"
Roko Leni Ukic is an experienced player and he knows what it's important in such a game series: "The most important is not to lose your focus. You must be ready and you must find the energy stepping on the floor. And this is because the series is very demandful, there are a lot of games in a short period and energy becomes really important".
Speaking about tomorrow's game Ukic shared his belief that it's going to be "even more difficult", adding: "Watching yesterday's game, it was crazy... It was like american football. Especially in the last quarter. It wasn't pretty, but it was successful and that's what counts. So, I expect an even tougher game tomorrow. Both teams will be even more tired tomorrow, because the game was just yesterday, but it will be a big challenge for both teams and we have to be ready for it".
Numbers
Panathinaikos and CSKA Moscow have faced each other 28 times and they are on a tie (14-14).
Dimitris Diamantidis needs just 1 assist to become the player to dish more passes in one season in Euroleague. Diamantidis is the 3rd best in steals this season, since Jonas Maciulis is in the first place with 43.
Stephane Lasme still needs 4 blockshots to become the 2nd best in Euroleague history. In Game 3 against CSKA Moscow he reached 500 points with Panathinaikos in the competition (507, 13th), and he needs 3 rebounds to make it 300 and 1 block shot to make it to 80.
Jonas Maciulis needs 6 points to get to the 500 points mark in Panathinaikos jersey and 4 assists to get to the 14th place and Giorgos Kalaitzis (78, 14th). He is closer to surpass Stratos Perperoglou in steals, since he needs just 2 to make it to the 9th place.
Antonis Fotsis is 7 points away from 700. Mike Bramos needs 2 rebounds to surpass his.. coach Fragkiskos Alvertis (185) and to get to the 9th place. James Gist needs 5 rebounds to reach Nikos Chatzivrettas (11th, 177). Maciulis and Bramos need just 1 three point shot made to reach 80 and 90 respectively.
