Check the recap of the Live Blogging from the Panathinaikos vs. Real game
8:20 JD : Good evening guys and welcome to the BallinEurope live blog
8:21 JD : 10 minutes to go before tip-off. This is Julien and Tobias should be joining in a few minutes.
8:23 JD : I’m watching the Zalgiris-Tau game waiting for Real-Panathinaikos to start
8:24 JD : A very close and exciting game. 50-50 right now.
8:26
TS: Just a few notes before the game
8:26 JD : And a former Real Madrid player is shining. Rakocevic has such a sweet touch…
8:27 CN: I will cover the Le Mans Milano game so if you have questions, feel free to comment
8:28
TS: So the game is about to start. What do the coaches have to say before this: Real Madrid: “We play against the European champion, a team which is still undefeated in the Euroleague and they also play at home, which will make it an everything but easy game”
8:28 TS: Panathinaikos: “We are facing a very good team with an inclination towards the pick and roll and great ability in open court.”
8:32 JD : Oh oh the Devotion anthem. Turn your mic to mute
8:34 TS: Can anybody please explain why they love this GO WEST song by the pet shop boys? What’s up with that? I am used to this kind of music in Moscow but here in Greece also?
8:35 JD : Did you guys know it was like a gay anthem at the beginning ?
8:35 JD : I’m not drawing any conclusions
8:35 TS: Yeah this is why I am asking 🙂
8:36 JD : But I guess that’s because it’s such a famous football song
8:37 JD : And whatver we think about Greece being a basketball Eldorado, football remains the top sport out there too
8:38 TS: I love it how the GATE13 keeps singing even if Real scores it looks like nothing happened – just when Panathinaikos scores you hear them cheering. But about the game – I think both teams should play some transition defense – way too easy layups for both teams in the begining
8:38 JD : Quick, Euroleague images before this live blog turns into a collection of the deepest thoughts in sports history…
8:42 JD : Sorry guys but all I have right now is a static image of Pelekanos…
8:43 TS: I also see the live stats on Euroleague.net don’t work right now – just if you are curious the score is 13-11 Panathinaikos
8:44 TS: Am I wrong or does it say “Lazaros” on the back of his jersey? AS far as I remember it was his last name last game in Real Madrid – Interesting.
8:45 JD : Come on, Panathinaikos fans, we can’t even hear the cheerleaders !
8:46 TS: Ah there you go the Euroleague commentator is on after a few minutes – and Lazaros is out with one foul – we also haven’t seen Spanoulis so far 17-11 Panathinaikos – Real needs an answer now!
8:46 JD : It said Lazaros last week too 😉
8:49 TS: SO are there any news about Becirovic out there? I keep reading that he doesn’t like it in Panathinaikos anymore … Anybody got insider news?
8:50 JD : Man there is contact. No little boys allowed tonight…
8:51 JD : Reyes is the European Shaquille O’Neal…
8:52 TS: Why? Is he also overpaid for what he does right now? 😉
8:52 JD : … As far as FT shooting is concerned…
8:54 26-20 Panathinaikos after the first quarter with Hervelle out with a cut ..
8:54 JD : 8 pts for Bullock & Batiste
8:55 TS: Man this techno music is something here in Greece – I really feel like I am in Moscow now.
8:57 JD : Zizic is not kidding when he’s coming for a screen. Being Sergio Llull sucked for a second…
8:57 TS: Yeah – I also like the screens Panathinaikos sets in their own backcourt to get Spanoulis to set up the offense
8:58 JD : You definitely have to love Panathiniakos’ passing game.
8:58 TS: I also think the camera man oves Alvertis – well I guess you have to love him .. right? 🙂
8:59 JD : Ahah the refs are following the blog. Moving screen against Zizic
9:00 TS: Sekulic’s nice move at the post gives Real now the first lead in this game
9:01 TS: and another time out – aehm I guess they are done with techno now in Athens – we got hip hop in the house and some cheerleaders shaking it wild! 🙂
9:02 JD : 3 more fantasy points. Love you Spanoulis.
9:04 TS: It looks like that Real’s three pointers keep them in the game so far – while Panathinaikos is shooting another great 73% from within the three point line
9:04 JD : Batiste is back in the game despite his 2 early personals. 2 seconds later, a 3-pt play
9:05 CN: quick shot from Le Mans, the French are leading by 10 in the first half, nothing special
9:05 JD : If there’s nothing special going on. COme blog this game with us 😉
9:06 JD : Hmm, seems like someone needs a timeout here…
9:07
TS: I also looks like the AOKA arena is not sold out this time – but I think they won’t see a better matchup in this qualification round, right?
9:07 Jd : Sekulic from downtown. After Raul Lopez’
9:08 JD : THe Greens have a special treatlment for Bullock in defense.
9:08
Mike Batiste is having a great game so far – 11 points in 9 minutes
9:10 TS: What’s going on with Llull? 🙂 great speed and then he throws the ball up without even touching the board?
9:11 JD : I don’t know which language it was but I’m pretty sure Saras swore after a second missed shot.
9:12 TS: It also looks like Papadpoulos’ home coming to Greece doesn’t go that well so far – he only played 2 minutes so far and has only 2! points
9:12 JD : And 2 personal fouls… He’ll have fresh legs in the second half !
9:14 CN: Halftime in Le Mans. And like every time, the French lost their advantage and Milan is leading 33 to 31
9:15
TS: talking about Papadopoulos I wanted you to show somethin
9:17 http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html
9:17
TS: let me know if you know somebody 🙂
9:18
9:19 TS: Halftime in Athens – and I am sure you wish you would have Mike Batiste on our fantasy league team with 15 points and a ranking of 16! Also Sani is having a good game and a ranking of 11
9:20 [Poll popup] Who will win this game? View Results
9:22 JD : A great game so far. Nice ball movement, some defense, 3 pt accuracy. santa Claus, if you hear me, I don’t want no digital camera. Just give me a quintuple overtime
9:33 TS: and we are back in Athens with a 46-47 for Real
9:33 TS: there he is! Papadopoulos makes it a three point lead
9:35 TS: Reyes keeps being a great free throw shooter 🙂 at least he made his second shot
9:36 JD : 2 pts for Pelekanos. The Greeks are killing the Greeks
9:36 TS: 46-52
9:38 TS: I have heard a few people complaining about the Euroleague commentators – I am fine with this one – he does a good job in my opinion – and I like that he agrees with the referee all the time 🙂
9:38 JD : How many steals by Charles Smith ?
9:39 TS: Charles Smith’ last two three have been very short .. he barely touched the rim – maybe he shuld use his legs .. and not only try to steal the ball 🙂
9:40 TS : And not be blocked by the Octopus !
9:40 TS: Alvertis is in!
9:41
TS: Batiste with his third foul – already – not very smart – he was their best player so far and has to leave the court now with still 4:43 to play in the third
9:42 TS: yeah! that commentator rocks! – He talks about Reyes shouting free throws: ” And Reyes misses the first – as usual” I like that!
9:43 JD : A treademark flop after a 3pt attempt by Alvertis
9:43 TS: Oh please what a foul from Reyes – why would you fould Alvertis when he attempts a three pointer?
9:44 TS: Hervelle back for Reyes – what a great cpoaching decision 🙂
9:44 JD : Hehe, Big Papa is flopping back !
9:45 TS: Panathianikos finally made a three pointer – they have been shooting 12% so far from the three point line
9:45 3 by Winston, PAO fans on their feet. Tunceri from outside. Tied game.
9:46 I like Papadopoulos fighting for a spot to post up – but he won’t get it that easy from Zizic
9:46 Tunceri is hot like Kate Moss !
9:48 JD : Sarunas on the court means PAO feeling better
9:48 TS: or money in the bank 🙂
9:49 JD : It didn’t count bcs there was a whistle before but Tunceri had another 3 pter. He’s got the hot hand.
9:51 JD : Franky Alvertis has to go to Hollywood
9:52 TS: What’s going on with Alvertis? Look at that “old school move”!
9:55 JD : Winston just walked on Hervelle for a put-back jam
9:55 TS: So we got a tied game – now it is getting interesting!
9:56 TS: Reyes back in action – just foul him if you want to make sure that he doesn score – he is shooting 40% from the free throw line tonight so far
9:57
TS: Zizic with 4 fouls out and Batiste also with 3 fouls – this brings back Alvertis to guard a post player
9:57 JD : is it just me or Louis Bullock looks a little bit like Kanye West ?
9:59 TS: I have never seen a call like that – even if he tries to draw a foul this is a BAD call by the ref
9:59 JD : Very interesting call. Similar to what Kobe did a couple of times last year
9:59 TS: maybe this is why Bullock got two free throws now
10:00 TS: Panathinaikos with 16 turnover but also 14 assists while Real only has 4 assists
10:01 TS: Pelekanos with a nice and important rebound
10:02 JD : Timeout, Panathinaikos down by 3
10:04 TS: and we got 6 minutes to go
10:05 JD : Incredible defensive effort by Madrid
10:05 TS: well Panathinaikos have to move the ball
10:06 JD : Diamantidis has an off-night…
10:07 JD : EDIT (he just netted a 3)
10:07 TS: Bullock he keeps Real Madrid in the game and also up even though he misses another three
10:08 TS: Is is juyst me or does Panathinaikos have not one big man on the floor?
10:08 JD : Chrles Smith and Papadopolos on the bench in clutch time ?
10:08 JD : Tunceri is on fire !!!!
10:08 TS: Wow
10:09 TS:4 for Real with three minutes go
10:10 JD : PAO up by 1 !
10:10 TS: and Becirovic finally makes an important three while Bullock gets called another offensive foul – this time you can call it but the other one was big big BS
10:11 CN: i join you in Athens now, as Le Mans is losing again
10:11 JD : All those last few shots came after a great work in the post by Mike Batiste. Definitely the man of the match
10:12 TS: You just came for the nice Panathinaikae! 🙂
10:12 TS: “whistling”
10:12 TS: Pana up three with Batiste’s off the galss shot
10:14 Bullock is now fouled out and Saras goes to the line for 2
10:14 TS: “money in the bank”I guess
10:15 CN: he hits the two
10:15 CN: come on, what a huge push in the back by Spanoulis in the rebound
10:16 CN: but he did it in the nice “European” way
10:16 CN : Ush, don’t make him lose more fantasy points
10:16 JD : That was a JD message sorry 🙂
10:17 JD : Spanoulis hits the dagger !
10:17 TS: ok that s it ..
10:17 CN: thats it and Kill Bill wins it with a push on the rebound and the big shot from three
10:17 TS: and for sure since Reyes will go to the line now
10:18 TS: of course now he makes both 🙂
10:20 TS: I don;t understand what happened to Papadopoulos – he played 14 minutes with only 4 points
10:21
TS: 92-85 win for Panathinaikos – and they are still unbeaten in th Euroleague – have a good night – see you soon for another great night of Euroleague Basketball!
10:21 CN: it is what Joan Plaza explained last week in Madrid. Big Papa is not the franchise player in Madrid but one guy among others
10:21 JD : It’s interesting to see how Obradovic outcoached Plaza in money time
10:21 TS: Yes he really did
10:22 JD : When he went small ball in money time, Plaza decided to adjust instead of sticking to a traditional lineup with 2 bigmen
10:22
This Live Blog has now ended.
