Panathinaikos departs today at noon, final destination Barcelona, where it will be facing Barcelona Regal in the two first Euroleague playoffs of the series. First encounter is scheduled for tomorrow (April 4, 21.00, ERT), while the second will be committed on Thursday (April 11, 21.45, NovaSports).
The Panathinaikos Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, characterized Barcelona Regal as an “exceptional team” only to add: “It is as reliable in defense as in offense. I believe that it is one of the few, if not the only Spanish team, that can not only run but also perform half court. It has automations which it executes rapidly and intensively. It has experience, talent, balance close up and far from the basket in offense. In defense it chooses how to face each opponent, based on how it competes and its strong points”. Pedoulakis stressed that contribution on behalf of all players is especially important even if for only a short period of time: “It is a series of games and we must expand our rotation. Even two, three or five minutes might be of the utmost importance, because the games are tough and consecutive and the season has already stated to weigh on us. We will proceed according to the same mentality we have been proceeding all year long, one game at a time and we will try to enforce our game”.
As far as the new Top16 playing system, he stated: “It is the first time it has been established and certain things must be examined by the Euroleague staff. And I am not referring to the players’ exhaustion which certainly exists, but mostly as far as procedural matters. For example having the games been completed on Thursday evening, it is tough to book tickets. Had we have had to travel to Moscow, we would have had an issue with our visas. I believe that they will spot them, that they are already aware of such issues and that they will solve them”.
Schortsanitis: “To upset the series”
Panathinaikos has a tough mission as all of its players are well aware of. So much Sofoklis Schortsanitis as does Vassilis Xanthopoulos speak of victory in Barcelona: “We are off to upset the series”, Schortsanitis stresses. “It is the first two games of the series; tough games at that. Primarily because Barcelona has the home-court advantage but also exactly due to who are opponent is. Barcelona has proven to be a tough team. It does not lose easily, especially at home, but we will try for the best. Panathinaikos has proven that it can play tough against any opponent. We must follow our coaches’ orders and try for the best. We know that Barcelona is facing injury issues, but they will be of little importance and we certainly are not dwelling upon them. Many players who can pose as a threat exist. The main thing is to stand our ground in our defense as always”.
Vassilis Xanthopoulos added: “It is not only the results Barcelona has driven, it is its overall stride and its playing manner. It is a great team; it has had the same coach for years and the same core for the team. The games are tough! I believe that we are appropriately prepared and I hope that we will return with a positive result. We are not delusional. We know that it will be tough to get a positive outcome. But Panathinaikos is a great team and we will try to win. Personally, I am stressed out, some stress exists on the team, but that is not a bad thing. It is good and… productive. Certainly however, the pressure is not as much as previous years”.
History
Panathinaikos and Barcelona have met up many times through their European strides while they have been in a Final Four together six times. It all started in the 80’. During the next decade first Final Four clashes are recorded and the clover celebrates its first Euroleague title (1995-96) against the Catalans. “Dates” between opponents became more and more frequent since Euroleague’s institution, while after 1994, 1996 and 2000, the teams will meet up in a Final Four three more times: 2009, 2011 and 2012.
Panathinaikos – Barcelona (Spain) 10-13
2011-12 Euroleague 69-74 (F4 3rd place game)
2010-11 Euroleague 82-83* 75-71* 76-74 78-67
2009-10 Euroleague 71-83* 67-70
2008-09 Euroleague 66-90* 76-87
2007-08 Euroleague 76-66 56-55*
2006-07 Euroleague 102-82 66-87*
2003-04 Euroleague 66-84 67-64*
1996-97 Euroleague 58-77* 79-75
1995-96 Euroleague 57-63* 74-95
1995-96 Euroleague 67-66 (F4 Final)
1993-94 Euroleague 100-83 (F4 3rd place game)
1981-82 Euroleague 79-89 83-113*