Panathinaikos did not play in Astrobal but did play in ‘Dyo Aorakia’

A year after the double at the SEF and 15 months after their last win away in Greece, Panathinaikos managed to win again. Okay, the “Greens” won’t erupt in sky-high cheers, but the 0:17 their guests scored as guests ended. In addition to the duty to complete the Euroleague with dignity and to prepare for domestic competitions, there is also the backwardness of the team, which has collapsed like never before in the last two years.

February came for Panathinaikos to get a double in the tournament, as Giorgos Papagiannis said, but still coming back as winners from Astrobal was a great motivation.

Villeurbanne, of course, decided that the match was offered to “train” the talent of the terrible Victor Wenbanjama, but until the little one understands what’s happening, first Okaro White, then Nemanja Nedovic and finally George Papagiannis had to bench him.

We don’t know what dream J. Jay Parker had that he actually overtook Costas Antetokunbo (who also “untouched”) instead of Wenbanyama. Panathinaikos didn’t say no to take advantage of the opposing coach’s tests and of course the absences of ASVEL (Okobo, Lacob, Dio, Howard) and fully impose his rhythm.

Bohoridis and Papapetrou may have been absent this time, but Panathinaikos and determined to play the defense and execute the attacks performed well from the start of the game.

The Serbian duo

Stefan Jovic gives him great respectability in the region. The Serb does not “scare” opponents with his performance. But that’s not the question. First, he calms his team, puts his teammates in the right positions, moves the ball well and is the definition of a playmaker.

He’s obviously not ready in terms of physical condition, he’s lacking obvious toys and looks a bit heavy. However, he knows how to move the strings and is a normal “ace”. The game ended in full stats (6p, 5p and 5 assists) and it wasn’t until Villeurbanne’s shorts injected extra energy that it seemed to let up.

Next to him, Nemanja Nedovic had a great first half with a lot of fun and 15 points. As long as he has the strength to do so, the shooter is unrivaled in naïve defence. like the one played by Villeurbanne in the first part.

His opponent is fatigue and prone to injury, since we are talking about a very fragile player who needs maintenance and not… pressure from consecutive games. The cramps he felt in the second half slowed his performance and at the same time “thrown” Panathinaikos.

The top white

However, the leader was the one who started and ended the match with the same fury. In other words, Okaro White, who is building on his recent good performances, was an excellent partner for Papagiannis, who was also promoted.

Like the Serbian duo in the periphery, the duet seems to find good chemistry in the racquet and be a force from Panathinaikos with an alternative “airy” Evans.

Panathinaikos with those three (Nedovic, White, Papagiannis) with a double-digit score made an almost perfect first half, clean and with total concentration on goal. He had excellent goalscoring (10/21d, 7/16tr), 12 assists and seemed wealthy and dominant as evidenced by the 16 point difference.

Almost, but it didn’t melt

The pressure exerted by Villeurbanne was to be expected. The prince would surely be waiting for her. When all the guards were left, the French team decided to chase all stages, steal balls, change rhythm and go for the surprise. He found a long-range shot from the superb and unerring Ostekowski (7/7), made a partial 21-13 in the third quarter and seemed able to turn the whole game around.

In fact, the hosts may have believed in a total reversal when the score was 57:59. Usually in these instances, this year’s Panathinaikos melted like butter, leaving the home team to have the final say.

This time he said it. The streak was halted by the French, who lost three or four opportunities to pass in front of goal, and finally saw Sant Ross and White seal the match, which was clearly leaning towards the Green side. The only thing Priftis was worried about was Nedovic’s condition and being bothered by the cramps.

In Heraklion he will give everything

Panathinaikos reached 6-17 in top organization. He will definitely try to improve as much as possible in the remaining 11 games, although his big goals will be defined by coaches and players. PAO will not be indifferent to the Euroleague, but on the day it hosts the Red Star in OAKA, it has no problem giving Papagiannis to the national team.

The priority of Panathinaikos seems like a one-way street. It’s the trophy first, which will return next weekend and after the championship in the form of a Final Four. This peculiarity of not scoring European goals from a young age will lead him to Heraklion where he has the only chance to win the trophy.

Obviously, this has both advantages and disadvantages. The “Greens” will give them as if … the year is coming to an end. On the other hand, such a predisposition can turn out to be a boomerang from the commitment and, ultimately, the fear of definitely conquering this title.

Bad lies, though. Panathinaikos has been preparing for the appointment at “Dyo Aorakia” for a long time. The rotation made by his coach also ends in the final four of the cup. The only exception to this plan is the surgery Ioannis Papapetrou underwent to cure his sinusitis, which could keep him out of contention for the first trophy of the year.