Top 16 Game 3 - February 28, 2007 CET: 19:45 Local time: 19:45 - OLIVIA SPORT HALL

Records

Ave.   Ave.
0-0 Final Four 0-0
0-0 Playoffs 0-0
0-0 Top 16 0-0
0-1 Regular Season 1-0
6-10 Overall 13-3

Referees

Crew Chief
MITJANA, JUAN CARLOS, Spain
Referee
MUHVIC, DUBRAVKO, Croatia
Umpire
PUKL,SASA, Slovenia

Team Stats

Ave.   Ave.
72.8 Points 82.1
30.9 Rebounds 32.8
8.4 O. Rebounds 11.3
22.6 D. Rebounds 21.5
13.3 Assists 12.4
9.3 Steals 10.3
2.3 Blocks 2.8
12.8 Turnovers 14.1
49.4 % 2PT 56.2 %
33.7 % 3PT 37.6 %
70.7 % FT 68.8 %
71.8 Index 90.3

Player Stats

Ave.   Ave.
11.3 / DALMAU, C. Points 14.4 / Batiste
4.6 / BESOK, HUSEYIN Rebounds 5.2 / Tsartsaris
1.6 / BESOK, HUSEYIN OR 3.2 / Batiste
3.1 / BESOK, HUSEYIN DR 3.9 / Tsartsaris
2.6 / ATKINS, R. Assists 4.1 / Diamantidis
1.6 / DALMAU, C. Steals 2.7 / Diamantidis
0.5 / ATKINS, R. Blocks 0.8 / Diamantidis
2.4 / DALMAU, C. Turnovers 2.6 / Diamantidis
55.6 % / ANDERSEN, MICHAEL 2PT 69.4 % / Batiste
44.8 % / ATKINS, R. 3PT 46.5 % / SISKAUSKAS, RAMUNAS
86.5 % / SLANINA,D. FT 81.5 % / BECIROVIC, SANI
10.9 / BESOK, HUSEYIN Index 15.1 / Diamantidis

THE TAKE

A big showdown for the top spot in Group F takes place in Sopot, Poland, where Prokom Trefl welcomes Panathinaikos on Wednesday at 19:45 CET, in the first-ever matchup between both teams. Prokom (1-1) comes off its first-ever Top 16 win after seven consecutive losses at this stage since its first appearance in 2005. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos (2-0) is the only unbeaten team in this group and registered back-to-back massive home wins against Efes Pilsen and Winterthur FCB, but will play three of its remaining four games on the road. Prokom released Justin Hamilton earlier this week, so Rashid Atkins (7.3 ppg., 44.8% 3FG, 2.6 apg.) and Tomas Pacesas are set to share the point guard duties from now on. Atkins had a team-high 16 points to lead Prokom to a 67-71 overtime road win against Efes - including 4 clutch free throws in the final minute. He will have plenty of help in the backcourt with sharp shooters Donatas Slanina (10.3 ppg.), Christian Dalmau (11.3 ppg., 41% 3FG) or Jasmin Hukic (6.2 ppg., 3.3 rpg.). Panathinaikos count on a deep roster that does not seem to have limits. Dimitris Diamantidis (9.3 ppg., 45.2% 3FG, 4.1 apg., 2.7 spg.)will have the mission to slow Atkins while Tony Delk (10.3 ppg.), Ramunas Siskauskas (9.1 ppg., 46.5% 3FG), Sani Becirovic (9.7 ppg.) or Nikos Hatzivrettas (8.7 ppg., 41.2% 3FG) will test their scoring skills against a whole battery of Prokom shooters. One of Prokom's main concerns will be slowing Mike Batiste (14.4 ppg., 69.4% 2FG, 6.5 rpg.), the Euroleague November MVP this season, who returned from an injury and is ready to lead a deep Panathinaikos frontcourt that also counts with power forwards Kostas Tsartsaris (8.5 ppg., 62.7% 2FG) or Dimos Dikoudis (8.3 ppg., 67.7% 2FG), passing big man Dejan Tomasevic (7.6 ppg., 5 rpg.) or team captain Fragiskos Alvertis (2.7 ppg.). Tomasevic, Dikoudis and Robertas Javtokas(2.6 ppg.) will have the tough mission to go against big men Huseyin Besok (10.4 ppg., 4.6 rpg.) and Michael Andersen (6.8 ppg.), while Tomasevic and Dikoudis will test their defensive skills against do-it-all swingman Tomas Masiulis (4.4 ppg., 3.9 rpg.) and physical forward Filip Dylewicz (3.9 ppg., 3.2 rpg.). Even when Panathinaikos is the favourite in this game, Prokom plays in front of its fans and hopes to keep all its playoff dreams alive.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Euroleague.net

Quotes Head Coaches

KIJEWSKI, EUGENIUSZ
Prokom Trefl Sopot
"I have always said that Panathinaikos is the main favorite to win the Euroleague. They play excellent and of course they will be the favourite of the game. However we will do everything to take a win. We are determined and we will fight for the whole 40 minutes. The key to win will be to stop their fast offense. We will probably play without Adam Wojcik who is still injured."
OBRADOVIC, ZELJKO
Panathinaikos
"In their last game in Istanbul, Prokom Trefl showed great character and accomplished a very important road win over Efes Pilsen that they deserved, so I am expecting a difficult game in Poland. Our opponents play very seriously especially in defense, which is very aggressive. Our goal is to play with the highest concentration and very seriously as a team in order to finish the first round with three wins in three games. We took take care of business at home, now it is time to perform as a team on the road."

Players

DYLEWICZ, FILIP
Prokom Trefl Sopot
"The victory over Efes gave us much confidence. It will help us in the game with Panathinaikos but I'm not certain whether it can assure us the victory over the Greek team. It will be very difficult to take an equal game with that team. Panathinaikos is one of the best, maybe the best team in Euroleague. The have a very balanced and strong team. Each bench player from this team can be the star of any other team in Europe. Panathinaikos plays excellent in defense, if we want to beat them we have to play our game, realize all tactics' tasks. If we don't do it we can have problems."
HATZIVRETTAS, NIKOS
Panathinaikos
"The fact that Prokom Trefl dominated Efes Pilsen in Turkey last week is the greatest proof that they have a good team and that the game against them is not going to be easy at all. Actually, in the Euroleague Top 16 there are not easy games and we have prepared this one as a final. Prokom has many experienced players, while it is their first home game in the Top 16 and definitely this team will have motivation and desire to beat Panathinaikos. Nevertheless, we have been through this situation many times and I am sure we can get our third win in a row in Poland."
Sani Becirovic - Panathinaikos Panathinaikos reached the halfway point in Group F with its perfect record intact after holding off upset-minded Prokom Trefl 69-75 on Wednesday night in Sopot, Poland. The hosts lead early and stayed within the game until the closing minutes, but Sani Becirovic and Mike Batiste scored 6 apiece during a late 2-12 run to put the game away. Panathinaikos now has a foot in the Quarterfinal Playoffs with a 3-0 record and could lead by as many as two wins over the rest of the group if Efes Pilsen tops Winterthur FC Barcelona on Thursday. Prokom dropped to 1-2, but still has two more home games remaining. Becirovic led all scorers with 18 points and 6 assists, while Batiste turned in a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds. Nikos Hatzivrettas was perfect from the field on the way to 14 points and Ramunas Siskauskas posted 11. Donatas Slanina led Prokom with 15 points and 4 assists, Michael Andersen recorded 12 points and 9 rebounds and Rashid Atkins contributed 11 points and 5 steals.

Andersen picked up where he left off last week, opening the scoring for Prokom with a three-point play. Dejan Tomasevic corrected Siskauskas's miss for Panathinaikos's first points and moments later the Greens' had their first lead as Becirovic's three-pointer made it 3-5. However Prokom was waiting to pounce. Jasmin Hukic tied the score with a layup, Andersen netted a short jumper, Slanina buried a triple and Tomas Masiulis capped a 9-0 run that gave the hosts a surprisingly big early lead. After Siskauskas scored, back-to-back baskets by Atkins and Masiulis put Prokom up 16-7. But just as quickly as Prokom built the lead is as quickly as it fell apart. Missed shots doomed the Polish champs as Siskauskas's triple was followed by one from Kostas Tsartsaris. Then Hatzivrettas scored his first points and Tsartsaris ended the first period with a bucket that returned the lead to the visitors, 16-17.

Rashid Atkins - Prokom TreflThe second period got off to a frantic start as triples were pouring in and the lead changed hands on the first four possessions of the quarter. Christian Dalmau tied the score at 23-23 from the line and then he swapped points with Batiste to make it 25-25 midway through the period. Panathinaikos started to look for the threes a bit too often and while the Greens were coming up empty, Atkins scored 4 straight points and Slanina added a jumper for a 31-25 Prokom lead. Hatzivrettas finally found the outside touch and Tomasevic then cut the gap to 3 from the line. But with time running down and halftime approaching, Slanina fired in a clutch three that gave the hosts a 36-30 halftime lead.

Becirovic started the second half with a three and Hatzivrettas soared in for a layup to bring Panathinaikos within 1. Andersen rescued Prokom with a layup and free throws that sandwiched a Becirovic layup. Slanina's next basket put the hosts up by 5 again, but Becirovic and Siskauskas were set to take care off that. The duo combined for 8 points during a 0-9 spurt that put Panathinaikos back in control. Hukic scored a layup, but Dimitrios Diamantidis bettered him with a three-point bomb for his first points. Batiste added two from the line to complete a 2-14 run, but Prokom didn't cave in. Filip Dylewicz sparked his side with a slam and after Fragiskos Alvertis and Siskauskas missed from downtown, Atkins added a layup to end the third period with Prokom back in the picture at 48-51.

Mike Batiste - PanathinaikosAtkins kept the Prokom momentum going with a triple to start the fourth quarter. Tomasevic went inside where he drew a foul and sank one from the charity stripe. The same trick resulted in a layup a minute later, but Huseyin Besok's slam made it 53-54. Slanina put Prokom back on top with a layup, but Alvertis brought all his experience to the table with a triple and a jumper to make it 55-59. Dylewicz took his turn in the sun with and dunk and a free throw. After Siskauskas made a pair from the line, Dylewicz drilled a triple to tie the game at 61-61. But a determined Becirovic scored, dished to Batiste and then netted a pair of free throws to push the visitors in front 62-67. While Prokom started to panic and miss-fire on offense, Batiste stepped up with a layup and then a slam to put Panathinaikos up 8 with 2 minutes to go. Becirovic stretched the Greens' lead to 10 for the first time all night. Andersen completed a three-point play and Slanina drilled a triple as Prokom tried to get back, but it was too little, too late as Panathinaikos held on for a 69-75 victory.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Euroleague.net
Referees: MITJANA, JUAN CARLOS (ESP), MUHVIC, DUBRAVKO (CRO), PUKL,SASA (SLO)
Attendance: 4300
By Quarter1234
Prokom Trefl Sopot16201221
Panathinaikos17132124
End of Quarter1234
Prokom Trefl Sopot16364869
Panathinaikos17305175
Head coach: KIJEWSKI, EUGENIUSZ
Prokom Trefl Sopot
# 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 HUKIC, JASMIN 28:45 4 2/4 0/2             2     3 1 -4
5 ATKINS, RASHID 37:00 11 3/10 1/4 2/2 1 3 4 3 5 1     5 3 10
7 MASIULIS, TOMAS 18:45 4 2/4 0/1   2 2 4 1 1 2     2 1 4
8 DYLEWICZ, FILIP 21:15 8 2/6 1/2 1/1   2 2 1 1 2 1   3 1 4
9 DALMAU, CHRISTIAN 23:00 6 2/5 0/2 2/2       3 1 1     2 3 5
10 WOJCIK, ADAM DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
12 BESOK, HUSEYIN 21:00 9 2/6 1/1 2/4 2 5 7 2   2     3 2 9
13 SLANINA, DONATAS 31:15 15 3/3 3/5     1 1 4         3 2 17
14 ANDERSEN, MICHAEL 19:00 12 4/4   4/4 2 7 9 1         2 4 24
15 PACESAS, TOMAS DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
17 ZAMOJSKI, PRZEMYSLAW DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
20 FRANK, RAFAL DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Team                                
Totals 200:00 69 20/42 6/17 11/13 7 20 27 15 8 10 1 0 23 17 69
47.6% 35.3% 84.6%
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: 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 13:15 5 1/2 1/4         1         1 1 2
5 DELK, TONY 2:15                              
7 BECIROVIC, SANI 28:00 18 2/3 3/5 5/6 1 1 2 6 1 1     1 5 26
8 BATISTE, MIKE 21:45 12 5/6   2/2 2 11 13 2 2 3     4 3 24
9 SISKAUSKAS, RAMUNAS 31:15 11 2/4 1/4 4/4 1 3 4   1 1     1 5 14
10 HATZIVRETTAS, NIKOS 18:30 14 2/2 3/3 1/2       1   2     3 3 12
11 DIKOUDIS, DIMOS 4:00   0/1 0/1                       -2
12 TSARTSARIS, KOSTAS 22:45 5 1/4 1/6   1 2 3 4   3     1 1 1
13 DIAMANTIDIS, DIMITRIS 32:00 3 0/1 1/5   1 4 5 3   1     3 2 4
15 TOMASEVIC, DEJAN 18:15 7 2/2   3/4 3 1 4     1   1 2 3 9
16 SAKOTA, DUSAN DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
18 VUJANIC, MILOS 8:00                   1     1   -2
Team                                
Totals 200:00 75 15/25 10/28 15/18 9 22 31 17 4 13 0 1 17 23 88
60% 35.7% 83.3%
This game is not yet played

Head Coaches

KIJEWSKI, EUGENIUSZ
Prokom Trefl Sopot
“I’d like to thank my players for the fight. We wanted to play as good defense as Panathinaikos and we did that. We missed 4 minutes of good game, we didn’t execute easy shots down the stretch. But I’m still satisfied the way we played against such a great team. It is a good sign for next games.”
OBRADOVIC, ZELJKO
Panathinaikos
“We watched Prokom’s victory at Efes and we knew that it’s going to be a tough game. We expected a tough battle, but we still didn’t play in the first half like we wanted to do. The most important things in basketball are concentration and fighting and we missed them both in the first half. After that it was much better. We strengthened our defense, so we were able to use the fastbreak and played a better passing game.”

Players

ANDERSEN, MICHAEL
Prokom Trefl Sopot
“We played one of the best games this season, but we lost. Against such a good team, you have to play almost without mistakes and we made too many down the stretch. Details decided the final result, they executed down the stretch and we did not. But we will fight in the next games.”
BATISTE, MIKE
Panathinaikos
“We knew how tough it’s going to be to beat Prokom away. In the Top 16, there are no weak teams. In the first half we made too many mistakes and Prokom used that. They played tough defense inside and let us shot from outside, but we didn’t execute well. In the second half we played much better defense and found our rhythm. We also forced the game inside and that was very important.”
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