Zalgiris Kaunas is Panathinaikos’ next opponent. Teams will be facing each other tomorrow (February 21, 21.45) in Lithuania for THY Euroleague Top16 game 8.
The clover Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, stressed prior to the team’s departure: “It is a tough game for both teams because we have proven to be focused when performing on the road. I believe that it will be a closed clash for both opponents with heaps of tactics, game to be ruled in the details. We have closed the first round at 4-to-3 wins, it is not exactly what we had hoped for, but under the circumstances it took place, essentially hosting us playing an entire round without Diamantidis and Schortsanitis, we are extremely pleased. The rest of the guys outdid themselves in order to keep Panathinaikos in the qualifying process. We must protect every single ball possession; approach each game one at a time and steer are concentration towards this very game and not on what is to follow”.
If one player knows Zalgiris Kaunas all too well and alongside Lithuanian basketball philosophy that is none other than Jonas Maciulis: “It is a great team and the game is very important for both teams, since to quite an extent it might define a lot as far as which team will qualify onto the league’s play-offs. It will be a tough and a strong battle. We know that Jankunas will be sidelined; a very important player for Zalgiris, but this does not reduce the encounter’s level of difficulty. We must do our best possible in order to prevail. Defining factor towards this, will be the game pace, but also control over sentiments during the encounter. The method behind which we break away from tip-off is also important. We must not allow Zalgiris to start off aggressively because that will make it all the more easier for the fans to add their presence to the equation, in a home court which very rarely is not maxed out”.
Numbers
Dimitris Diamantidis is at top spot on the Euroleague all time list of… thieves, position which he now shares with Thodoris Papaloukas. All he needs in order to present Papaloukas with an eviction notice from first place is a single steal. The Panathinaikos captain needs only three blocked shots in order to become the first guard ever to have tallied 100 in the history of Euroleague.
Jonas Maciulis is the only Panathinaikos player who has been a starter in all Euroleague encounters. The Lithuanian forward alongside Mike Bramos are the only players to have performed in all of the league’s games. 13 players in total have been used as starters. Maciulis has made at least one three-pointer in all of his 8 last Euroleague games, while during this period of time he has been performing behind a 48.7% (19-for-39).
Stephane Lasme still leads Euroleague in blocked shots behind 1.9 per game, while through the Top16 he also leads in offensive boards, grabbing 3.14 per game.
Kostas Tsartsaris needs 4 good triples in order to reach 100 tallied in his Euroleague career.
Sofoklis Schortsanitis won his first ever MVP Euroleague title performing as a rookie versus Zalgiris Kaunas: He summed 25 points within 25 minutes game time, getting 10-for-12 field shots and a 32 ranking rate.
Jason Kapono is performing in Euroleague behind 10-for-10 free throws.
“Relations”
Jonas Maciulis has competed with Zalgiris Kaunas for four seasons (2005-2009). He has been teammates with Paulius Jankunas through these four years but also with Darjus Lavrinovic (2005-06) and Marko Popovic (2006-08). Performing with the Lithuanian team’s jersey he has conquered the Baltic League, 2 local championships and 2 cups.
Roko Leni Ukic has been teammates with Darjus Lavrinovic in Fenerbahce/Ulker during the 2010-11 period, managing to edge both Turkish championship and cup.
History
Panathinaikos and Zalgiris have met up 15 times in the past. Panathinaikos has been defeated only once, the standing record in its favor at 14-to-1. The only Lithuanian victory was at home, back in 2003-04 behind 80-74 final game score.
