May 25, 2013
Regular Season Game 13 - January 24, 2007 CET: 19:45 Local time: 20:45 - O.A.K.A.
Panathinaikos 80 - 93 Partizan

Records

Ave.   Ave.
0-0 Final Four 0-0
0-0 Playoffs 0-0
0-0 Top 16 0-0
1-0 Regular Season 1-0
11-1 Overall 5-7

Referees

Crew Chief
ARTEAGA, JUAN CARLOS, Spain
Referee
SHULGA, BORIS, Ukraine
Umpire
PATERNICO, CARMELO, Italy

Team Stats

Ave.   Ave.
81.3 Points 76.4
31.4 Rebounds 33.7
10.5 O. Rebounds 10.5
20.9 D. Rebounds 23.2
12.1 Assists 13.3
11.2 Steals 12.6
2.7 Blocks 3.3
14.8 Turnovers 16.2
58.7 % 2PT 46.3 %
36.3 % 3PT 38.0 %
66.8 % FT 74.6 %
88.5 Index 77.3
Team Stats - Panathinaikos
Team Stats - Partizan

Player Stats

Ave.   Ave.
16.1 / Batiste Points 16.5 / DROBNJAK, PREDRAG
7.1 / Batiste Rebounds 7.1 / DROBNJAK, PREDRAG
3.4 / Batiste OR 2.7 / Perovic
3.3 / Tsartsaris DR 4.6 / DROBNJAK, PREDRAG
3.8 / Diamantidis Assists 3.5 / CUMMINGS, V.
2.6 / Diamantidis Steals 1.9 / CUMMINGS, V.
1.0 / Diamantidis Blocks 1.5 / Perovic
2.8 / Diamantidis Turnovers 2.9 / DROBNJAK, PREDRAG
75.0 % / TOMASEVIC, DEJAN 2PT 58.3 % / PEKOVIC, NIKOLA
46.2 % / SISKAUSKAS, RAMUNAS 3PT 58.1 % / Bogdanovic
77.8 % / BECIROVIC, SANI FT 100.0 % / BOZIC, PETAR
20.0 / Batiste Index 19.0 / DROBNJAK, PREDRAG
Team Roster - Panathinaikos
Team Roster - Partizan

THE TAKE

Panathinaikos will look to bounce back from its first Group C loss of the season when it hosts Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday at OAKA Olympic Hall in Athens, Greece. The Greens were off to one of the best Euroleague starts all decade before falling on the road at Unicaja 67-61 last week in what was easily the team's worst offensive output of the season. Partizan, meanwhile, ended a three-game slide with a 106-60 pounding of Union Olimpija. That game was Partizan's highest scoring of the season. While Panathinaikos (11-1) has already secured first place in Group B and with it a top seed for the Top 16 draw, Partizan (5-7) is still in the thick of the battle for a spot in the next stage. Tied with three other teams for fourth place in the group, every win is critical for Partizan. Some key players on both teams are certainly familiar with one another, starting at the top, where Partizan's man on the sidelines, Dusko Vujosevic, coached Panathinaikos maestro Zeljko Obradovic for four seasons before the latter turned to coaching. Vujosevic also guided Panathinaikos guard Milos Vujanic early in his career, while Obradovic is familiar with several of Partizan's top players from his days with the Serbian national team. When these teams met earlier in the season, the Greek champs took a tough 65-73 decision behind strong outings from power forward Mike Batiste and point guard Dimitrios Diamantidis. Batiste, who posted 15 points and 11 rebounds that night, has missed his team's last three games with a calf injury. His status for Wednesday is unclear, but he did not play in the Greek League on the weekend. His absence hurt coach Obradovic's side last week. Batiste could help offset Partizan's big, strong frontline, led by Predrag Drobnjak and Kosta Perovic, but in his absence Panathinaikos will need Dejan Tomasevic, Demos Dikoudis (8.1 ppg.), Kostas Tsartsaris (8.7 ppg.) and Robertas Javtoks to help deal with the visitors' size. Drobnjak (16.5 ppg., 7.1 rpg.) and Perovic (11.1 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 1.5 bpg.) are not only an extremely dangerous tandem, but the presence of Nikola Pekovic on the bench means the twin-tower effort is a constant threat during games. Partizan playmaker Vonteego Cummings (12.7 ppg., 3.5 apg.) will have his work cut out for him against Diamantidis (8.8 ppg., 3.8 apg., 2.6 spg., 1 bpg.), while matchups on the wings - Uros Tripkovic (9 ppg.), Dusan Kecman and Luka Bogdanovic of Partizan vs. Ramunas Siskauskas (7.9 ppg.), Tony Delk (9.4 ppg.), Nikos Hatzivrettas (8.9 ppg.) and Sani Becirovic (8.2 ppg.) of Panathinaikos - will be crucial for both teams. Ultimately, this game could be decided inside and could be affected by Batiste's presence or absence, although the Panathinaikos backcourt has been known to take over games just as much as any big men.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Euroleague.net - Kostas Sotiriou, Athens - Aca Ostojic, Belgrade

Quotes Head Coaches

OBRADOVIC, ZELJKO
Panathinaikos
"It is our last home game of the regular season, so this is a good chance for our fans to come to the Olympic Indoor Hall and wish Panathinaikos good luck in the Top 16. A full gym is something we want to see and definitely we will try to please our fans by performing well and winning one more battle. Everybody knows what kind of relationship I have with Partizan Belgrade, but when you are a professional you just want to lead your team to another victory. We had an excellent game against Aris in the Greek League and we must continue with the same concentration to fulfill our ambitions."
VUJOSEVIC, DUSKO
Partizan
"It is not realistic that we can make a miracle in Athens. But we have to play brave, with heart and high motivation. It is true that the game on Wednesday means a lot to us and nothing to Panathinaikos. We are preparing to play with one of the best European teams at the moment. We shall play without pressure, as a road victory is not imperative to us. On the other hand, we shall be highly motivated, so we'll see if that will be sufficient for a victory."

Players

BECIROVIC, SANI
Panathinaikos
"After a recent win over Aris in Thessaloniki, Panathinaikos has great confidence as a team and now that we face Partizan Belgrade, we just want to continue with the same intensity and keep a good rhythm as we reach the Top 16. There are two games left in the regular season and my team wants to perform well and get two more wins. Of course, the winning streaks don't matter. What matters is to be ready when the games decide something - for example, one of the team's goals. As we go closer to the Top 16, our goal is to improve our basketball level and reduce the little mistakes that can cause an unpredictable loss."
VELICKOVIC, NOVICA
Partizan
"Playing with heart is the trademark of our team. It is very positive that we are playing with the same intensity whether the gap between our opponent and us is 5 or 45 points. Our position in the group is pretty good because we still have everything in our hands. First we are going to Athens, and then Unicaja is coming to Belgrade. For sure, we are not carrying a white flag in our baggage. Panathinaikos is a great team, but we are ready to do our best to surprise the leader of our group. I don't think it is mission impossible. Anyway, our key game should be with Unicaja, when a win in Pionir Arena could put us in the Top 16."
Kosta Perovic - Partizan Partizan Belgrade pulled off a stunner on Wednesday night, destroying Group B winner Panathinaikos 80-93 at the OAKA Olympic Hall in Athens, Greece. The win sees Partizan improve to 6-7 in the group and gives the Serbian champs control over their destiny in the regular season finale next week, when Partizan hosts Unicaja. On the other hand, Panathinaikos, which was without injured big men Mike Batiste and Demos Dikoudis, lost for the second straight week after starting the season 11-0. The visitors used a well-balanced team effort, with center Kosta Perovic leading six Partizan scorers in double figures with 19 points on perfect shooting. Partizan started to pull away in the second half, with only the stellar play of Tony Delk keeping Panathinaikos within 34-46 at halftime. The Greens clawed their way back in the third period and seemed poised to regain the lead in the final period, but playmaker Vonteeego Cummings and big Predrag Drobnjak were at their best in the start of the fourth period and Partizan rebuilt the lead by as many as 20 points, coasting to a huge road win. Cummings scored 16 for Partzan, Drobnjak had 15 points and 9 rebounds, Dusan Kecman 15 and 7 boards, Uros Tripkovic 12 points and Milenko Tepic 10. Delk finished with a season-high 23 for Panathinaikos, Sani Becirovic added 16, Ramunas Siskauskas 14 and Dejan Tomasevic 10.

Both teams started the game creating good opportunities on the offensive end. Kostas Tsartsaris opened the scoring, and Kecman, Delk, Perovic and Cummings followed at 4-6 in favor of the visitors. Delk popped in a nice jumper to tie it at 6-6, but Tripkovic nailed one from downtown to give Partizan the lead again at 9-6. The tempo continued to be high-scoring; when Robertas Javtokas connected from inside, the scoreboard stood at 10-11 less than three minutes after the tip-off. Siskauskas nailed a triple to help Panathinaikos regain the lead, but Tepic answered back immediately at 14-14. The lead changed hands again as Tripkovic popped in another three-pointer. Drobnjak nailed a triple from the corner allowing Partizan to build a 16-22 margin, but Becirovic and Tomasevic came in off the bench to combine for 3 points and make it 19-22 at the end of the first quarter.

Tony Delk - PanathinaikosPerovic connected with ease from inside and Tripkovic did the same from outside to help Partizan sail to 21-27. The visitors seemed much more motivated in the game, while the hosts proved lazy on defense. Good ball movement resulted in a Perovic dunk. Tomasevic connected for Panathinakos after four minutes of scoring only from the line. But Partizan remained in charge of the game. When Novica Velickovic finished a fastbreak, the difference reached double digits (23-33) and Panathinaikos coach Zelimir Obradovic had to call for a timeout. Velickovic dunked in the open court and increased it to 25-37 before Becirovic nailed a three-pointer. Again Partizan found the answer; this time in the paint with Perovic, who scored two buckets to make it 28-41. Nikola Pekovic impressively blocked Becirovic and the visitors went ahead at 30-44. Panathinaikos struggled to create open shots and only scored from the free-throw line. Delk stepped up for the Greens to cut it to 34-46 before the two teams went to the lockers for halftime.

Siskauskas bore offensive responsibility for Panathinaikos with mixed results, as he first nailed a triple, but then missed a jumper. Perovic proved his dominance in the paint drawing fouls and grabbing offensive rebounds as he went 4-for-4 from the line and led Partizan to 37-50. The guests kept feeding the ball inside; Drobnjak went to the free-throw line to make it 38-52. Delk hit a difficult three-pointer at 41-52, but soon Kecman drove to the basket. Obradovic used now four guards together with Tomacevic in the lineup in order to take control of the tempo. Becirovic nailed a triple, but again Kecman found the way for an easy lay-up at 46-58. Delk answered back with 4 straight points to allow Panathinaikos to get closer at 50-58. Tripkovic went to line for three free throws, but Panathinaikos was ready to react. Diamantidis stole the ball twice and the Greens found easy points from the charity with Tomasevic and Diamantidis to make it 56-61. Tepic offered the solution for Partizan, but it was now evident that Panathinaikos was ready to play some tough defense. Cummings made a couple of difficult shots as Partizan held off the hosts’ pressure at 63-69 after 30 minutes.

Tomasevic was charged with technical at the end of the third period and Partizan opened the final quarter with free throws and ball possession. Cummings’s 5 consecutive points made it to 63-74 and restored confidence for Partizan, while slowing down Panathinaikos's enthusiasm. Drobnjak then added 5 points of his own as the guests sailed to a 65-79 advantage, while Pananathinaikos made some bad offensive decisions. Kecman increased it to 67-81. Panathinaikos had only scored from the line at this point in the fourth period. Drobnjak connected again to make it 68-83 with five-and-a-half minutes remaining. When Tripkovic added another triple at 69-86 and Panathinaikos was still searching for its first field goal in the final quarter, the outcome was clear. Partizan sealed the surprise win over the previously unbeaten side at home.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Stelios Kyriakoglou, Athens
Referees: ARTEAGA, JUAN CARLOS (ESP), SHULGA, BORIS (UKR), PATERNICO, CARMELO (ITA)
Attendance: 8000
By Quarter1234
Panathinaikos19152917
Partizan22242324
End of Quarter1234
Panathinaikos19346380
Partizan22466993
Head coach: OBRADOVIC, ZELJKO
Panathinaikos
# Player Min Pts 2FG
M-A
 3FG
M-A
 FT
M-A
 Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls PIR
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
4 ALVERTIS, FRAGISKOS 7:00     0/1         1         3   -3
5 DELK, TONY 27:00 23 3/5 2/3 11/12 1   1 1   2   1 3 8 23
6 PAPANIKOLAOU, DIMITRIOS 3:00                   1         -1
7 BECIROVIC, SANI 28:15 16 1/6 2/2 8/10   3 3     4   2 3 9 12
9 SISKAUSKAS, RAMUNAS 30:45 14 1/3 2/3 6/8   1 1     2     2 6 12
10 HATZIVRETTAS, NIKOS DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
12 TSARTSARIS, KOSTAS 24:00 7 1/2 0/1 5/8 1 6 7     2 1   3 4 9
13 DIAMANTIDIS, DIMITRIS 27:45 5 1/4   3/3   2 2 4 3 3     4 4 8
15 TOMASEVIC, DEJAN 21:00 10 1/4   8/10 2 3 5       1   3 5 13
16 SAKOTA, DUSAN DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
18 VUJANIC, MILOS 12:15   0/1 0/1             1     1   -4
19 JAVTOKAS, ROBERTAS 19:00 5 2/3   1/2 3 3 6     2 1   1 2 9
Team           1 2 3               3
Totals 200:00 80 10/28 6/11 42/53 8 20 28 6 3 17 3 3 23 38 81
35.7% 54.5% 79.2%
Min: Minutes played; Pts: Points; 2FG M-A: 2-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); 3FG M-A: 3-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); FT M-A: Free Throws (Made-Attempted); Rebounds: O (Offensive), D (Defensive), T (Total); As: Assists; St: Steals; To: Turnovers; Bl: Blocks (Fv: In Favor / Ag: Against); Fouls: Cm (Commited), Rv (Received); PIR: Performance Index Rating
Head coach: VUJOSEVIC, DUSKO
Partizan
# Player Min Pts 2FG
M-A
 3FG
M-A
 FT
M-A
 Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls PIR
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
4 TEPIC, MILENKO 22:00 10 3/6 1/3 1/2         1 3     4 2  
5 BOGDANOVIC, LUKA 11:00 2 0/1   2/2         1       3 1  
7 KECMAN, DUSAN 29:00 15 4/6 1/1 4/4 4 3 7     3     2 2 17
8 BAKIC, BORIS 1:15     0/1                       -1
10 BOROVNJAK, DEJAN 2:15   0/1                         -1
11 TRIPKOVIC, UROS 18:45 12 0/2 3/6 3/3       1       1 4 1 4
12 VELICKOVIC, NOVICA 13:15 4 2/4     2 1 3   1   1   5 1 3
13 PEROVIC, KOSTA 25:30 19 6/6   7/7 4 3 7 2 1 2 1   4 5 29
14 PEKOVIC, NIKOLA 11:15   0/1       1 1   2   1   5 1 -1
18 DROBNJAK, PREDRAG 27:45 15 2/8 1/2 8/8 4 5 9 1 2     1 3 5 21
20 BOZIC, PETAR 6:00     0/1         2 1       4   -2
25 CUMMINGS, VONTEEGO 32:00 16 5/10 1/5 3/4   1 1 3 3 1   1 4 4 11
Team             3 3               3
Totals 200:00 93 22/45 7/19 28/30 14 17 31 9 12 9 3 3 38 22 83
48.9% 36.8% 93.3%
This game is not yet played

Head Coaches

OBRADOVIC, ZELJKO
Panathinaikos
“All these years we have proven our character as a team. I don’t accept that the team may not have motivation and might be already thinking of the Final Four. We played really bad tonight. Partizan deserved to win, they played better. I want to thank our fans who proved their deep support even after a shock defeat like that.”
VUJOSEVIC, DUSKO
Partizan
“Everybody has the right to lose. For Panathinaikos it is better to lose now than at the Euroleague final in May. I understand that Panathinaikos did not have motivation tonight. They also had some absences due to injuries. This is a big win for us. We improved our chances to qualify for the Top 16. I don’t dream of giving rebirth to a great Partizan team from the past. All I know is that my players work hard every day.”

Players

VUJANIC, MILOS
Panathinaikos
“We played terrible tonight. I hope that this defeat will prove to be a lesson for us. It’s something like an alert sign. Because, tough games will follow and defeats will not be easy to overcome from now on.”
CUMMINGS, VONTEEGO
Partizan
“It was a real big game. We didn’t want to take it to the last game. So, we were determined to fight. We gave it everything we had, the coach did a great job and we came up with the win. A real big win over a great team. I believe that tonight we proved we have the quality to be among the Top 16 teams.”
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