Greens are the new champions!
- May 4, 2009 (by Kostas
Papadopoulos) And here is the final!!! Incredible beginning by
CSKA; 12-7 four minutes in the game with 6/8 shots while Panathinaikos
has already made two mistakes.
Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency:
Beo Basket) at 7 points from Greens' nine later (9-12). And with
Pekovic and
Andrew Nicholas (191-G-81, college:
Maryland) at 13-12. The Greens want to hit from inside the paint and
although CSKA found ways to defense initially then the whole situation
changed. And the serie had not stopped; 10-0 and the score at 17-12
while the Green fans are in an ecstasy. Finally the Russians found some
solutions, mainly with Holden, and the period ended at 21-16. CSKA found
a lot of difficulties in the last five minutes. It should be mentioned
its 0/4 3p shots.
Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78) almost invisible, just as Smodis (no
scoring).
At the first 3:27 minutes of the second period Panathinaikos dominated.
With two consecutive successive 3p shots from
Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-G-76, college:
Maryland) and Diamantidis and a basket from
Andrew Nicholas it took a 12 point difference (31-19) and the
Russians seemed incapable to stop the Green 'tsunami', which palys
without his clear center (Pekovic) but with Batiste and Tsartsaris who
give it the chance to run even faster. At that time CSKA committed three
turnovers. The difference edged even the 15 points (36-21), with 2:32
remaining after another successful 3p shot from Diamantidis. At that
time, CSKA (in 7:28 minutes had scored only 5 points). But it was not
the biggest yet; 17 points later, and 20 at the buzzer, after four more
3p shots by
Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81),
Vassilis Spanoulis, Jasievicius and
Andrew Nicholas (48-28). That was the final score of this incredible
first half.
And it was so since Panathinaikos had 7/10 successful 3p shots at the
second period, while CSKA did not score a single one in throughout the
whole half. The Greens run a lot,
Ramunas Siskauskas had only one basket,just like Smodis and
Trajan Langdon (192-G-76, college:
Duke)
and only Holden fought with his 12 points. Obradovic was the dominator
while his friend Messina seemed that he had to hear his wife complaining
him again.
The third period began at the same exactly tempo: a 3p shot from
Sarunas Jasikevicius (51-28). A 5-0 serie brought the Russians to 18
points (51-33) then but the Greens responded with their 5-0 and another
3p shot from
Antonis Fotsis; 10/17 their percentage. 7-0 then again for the
Russians (56-40) with 3:30 remaining, which, at last with their first
successful 3p shot, was extended to 10-0 by
Trajan Langdon. The explanation? Messina at last changed his defense
system, abandoning the zone. Obradovic took a time-out but the Russians
have returned (?). Three lost offenses for the greek team but the
Russians did not succeed in a single one; only in a free throw (56-44).
But Panathinaikos fourth consecutive lost offense brought CSKA even
closer. 56-46, with the serie extended to 13-0. the third period ended
at this 10 point difference, with Panathinaikos not having scored for 6
whole minutes.
And the serie went up to 15-0 (56-50) 1:55 after the beginning of the
last period. The game has restarted for sure!!!
Antonis Fotsis broke it with his third 3p shot (59-50).
Perperoglou's 6 consecutive points brought the difference again to 13
points (65-52) with 5:38 remaining. But a 8-0 serie brought the Russians
again to 5-point difference (65-60). Which was reduced even more after a
successful 3p shot from Khryapa (70-66), 40,9 seconds before the end. He
lost though two crucial free throws immediately after, but Diamantidis
made a mistake or rather Mr. Juan Carlos Arteaga made a wrong call (8
seconds violation).
Ramunas Siskauskas succeeded in another 3p shot for the
point-difference (70-69) 26,2 sec. for the end. Diamantidis won the
foul, scored the two free throws (72-69),
Ramunas Siskauskas in his owns (72-71),
Sarunas Jasikevicius lost though one (73-71) and CSKA had 5,8
seconds to attack.
Ramunas Siskauskas lost the 3p shot and the GREENS ARE THE NEW
CHAMPIONS
2008-09 All-Euroleague, MVP announced
- May 2, 2009
The best Euroleague Basketball players of the 2008-09 season were
honored at the Euroleague Basketball Awards Ceremony at the majestic o2
World in Berlin, on the same court where the 2009 Euroleague Basketball
champion will be crowned on Sunday night. The court was set up in a
matter of minutes to welcome the VIPs from the world basketball elite
who are present at the Final Four. Each of the award winners received
his trophy in the special ceremony. The event was highlighted by the
selection of Regal FC Barcelona guard
Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) as MVP for the season. Navarro,
previously an All-Euroleague first team selection in 2006 and 2007,
received his first Euroleague MVP trophy. In addition to Navarro, the
All-Euroleague First Team also included point guard
Terrell McIntyre (175-G-77) of Montepaschi Siena (ITA), 2009
Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy winner
Igor Rakocevic (191-G-78) of Tau Ceramica Vitoria (ESP) at shooting
guard/small forward and at power forward/center,
Giannis Bourousis (212-C-83) of Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (GRE) and
Nikola Pekovic (210-C-86) of Panathinaikos Athens (GRE). Rakocevic,
Pekovic and Bourousis made it to the All-Euroleague first team for the
first team in their career. Rakocevic and Pekovic had previously been
All-Euroleague second team selections in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
McIntyre is the only repeat selection on the first team. All the
honorees received their awards from Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu.
The All-Euroleague Second Team features point guard
Thodoros Papaloukas of Olympiacos, shooting guard Vassilis Spanouls
from Panathinaikos, small forward
Ramunas Siskauskas of CSKA and big men
Tiago Splitter from Tau Ceramica and
Erazem Lorbek of CSKA. Papaloukas and Siskauskas were Euroleague
MVPs in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy
was presented to Rakocevic. Novica Velickovic of Partizan, the Rising
Star Trophy winner, was unable to attend the ceremony. Partizan General
Manager Mladen Silobad took the trophy in his honor. Dimitris
Diamantidis was handed the Best Defender Trophy for the fifth straight
season. All awards were based on a combination of fan and media voting
except the top scorer, which was based on the most average points scored
during a minimum of games this season.
Courtesy of Euroleague
Barcelona at the third place
- May 3, 2009 (by Kostas
Papadopoulos) Barcelona entered the game with a bigger will
and leaded with 14-4 and 19-8 later, taking advantage of its inside game
through
Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
N.Mexico) (7 points). The Reds achieved to reduce at three points,
with a 11-3 serie, (19-22) after
Thodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency:
Interperformances) entered the game transimitting a concentration in
his team's game. The first period ended at 19-26 for Barcelona.
This 4-0 Spanish serie extended to 9-0 two minutes after the beginning
of the second period (19-31), after the consecutive mistakes of the
Reds, of which Barca took advantage in its fast breaks. And then even
more: 15-0 (19-37) while Olympiacos at this time (6:08 minutes) did not
even score a single point. The difference reached even the 21 points for
Barcelona (23-44) with 1:56 remaining, before Olympiacos making a 7-0
serie to reduce it to 14 (30-44). The half time's score, 30-46, was
quite normal according to its whole picture; the Reds' players were
obviously out of the field, very disappointed. The percentages were a
proof: 10/33 while the Spanish ones were 16/28. And, it should also be
mentioned that Olympiacos had
Giannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency:
FCM) and
Giorgos Printezis (206-F-85, agency:
FCM) with 3 fouls.
The second half seemed to be different. At least at its six first
minutes. It was the time that the Reds decided to play basketball; they
reduced the difference at 8 points (46-54 and 48-56) due mainly to
Nikola Vujcic (211-C-78, agency:
Interperformances) (12 points) and
Lynn Greer (186-G-79, college:
Temple) (16 points). At that time, though,
Jaka Lakovic (186-G-78) and Roger Grimau scored 3p shots and the
difference at the end of the third period was shaped again at 15 points
(58-73) although it was even bigger before (52-69).
The last period had therefore nothing interesting. Both teams tried some
plays, having their interest at their domestic champioships. The final
79-95 was just a reflection that Barcelona wanted the third place more
than Olympiacos; and it took it
FMP win Nike International Junior Tournament
- May 3, 2009 FMP - Lietuvos Rytas 123:110 Serbian FMP became the junior Euroleague champions for the second
straight time! They defeated Lithuanian Lietuvos Rytas in the Grand
Final that took place in O2 Arena in Berlin earlier today.
Dejan Musli (212-C-91) knocked down 31 points and grabbed impressive
17 rebounds to lead junior FMP squad. Filip Duran provided 23 points for
the winners.
Mantas Kadzevicius (193-G-91) responded with 25 points for Lietuvos
Rytas.
FMP wasted little time taking a 34:28 after the opening frame. Lietuvos
Rytas slowed the Serbian down in the second stanza but could not get any
closer. FMP arrived at halftime leading by 8 points. The decisive third
quarter was marked by FMP dominance as the Serbian youngsters stretched
the margin to 17 points and never looked back en route to the success.
Branislav Dekic nailed 20 points and pulled down 6 rebounds for FMP.
Jonas Valanciunas (211-C-92) had 22 points and 13 rebounds for
Lietuvos Rytas in defeat.
FMP took care of Alba Berlin, Unicaja and Montepaschi Siene to pave the
way into the championship game. Lietuvos Rytas was simply unstoppable in
the preliminary round as they thrashed Gran Canaria and Olimpia
Ljubljana. The Lithuanian team also eked out a 74:71 win over the last
seasons finalist Hemofarm.
Dejan Musli was trumped the first ever two-time MVP of the
tournament. FMP:
Dejan Musli 31, Filip Duran 23, Branislav Dekic 20 Lietuvos Rytas:
Mantas Kadzevicius 25,
Jonas Valanciunas 22+13 boards
Vassilis Spanoulis was named the MVP of
Euroleagues Final Four! - May 3, 2009
The 2008-09 Euroleague champ is Panathinaikos 73-71 CSKA in another
stone thriller before a stunned crowd of 13,200 at o2 World in Berlin. A
23-point second-half lead by Panathinaikos dwindled to a single point
several times as CSKA roared back, but Ramunas Siskauskas' game-winning
three try rimmed out.
Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) was named MVP of the Final.
Panathinaikos Athenss star guard
Vassilis Spanoulis was selected Euroleague Basketballs 2009 Final
Four MVP after leading the Greens to a 73-71 victory over defending
champion CSKA Moscow in the title game on Sunday night at O2 Arena in
Berlin. Spanoulis was selected in a vote of media after leading the
winners with 31 total points in the Final Four, including 13 in the
final. At his very first Final Four, Spanoulis showed no signs of
nervousness, scoring his teams first basket and 7 points overall in the
first quarter to keep the Greens in the game when CSKA started strong.
He added another three late in the second period in helping his team to
a 20-point halftime lead and scored his final basket with just less than
three minutes to play, helping Panathinaikos stave off CSKAs final surge
en route to lifting the Euroleague crown for the first time. It is worth
mentioned the fact that this is Spanoulis first time participation in a
Final Four! Spanoulis tried to play in NBA and made his dream true,
after a not so godd season, Spanoulis return back to Greece and
Panathinaikos.
Panathinaikos is in the final!!
- May 2, 2009
After an amazing game which finished just a couple of minutes ago,
Panathinaikos beat Olympaikos with 84-82 in a game that the fans all
over the world will remember for many years to come.
Posted by Chris Mammides and Kostas Papadopoulos
The game was a real advertising for the Basketball. A game that had
everything, dunks, show, tough defences, strategic moves from two of the
best coaches in the Globe! Both Panagiotis Giannakis and Zelimir
Obradovic proved once more why they consider being among the creme de la
creme of the European basketball. With amazing tactics, pick and rolls,
and many other approaches the two coaches played their European game
like a chess game. Panathinaikos and Obradovic had in a great night the
amazing quartet of Spanoulis (18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists),
Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-G-76, college:
Maryland)
(18 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds), Batiste (19 points and 6
rebounds) and Pekovic who was the top scorer of the game (20 points, and
2 rebounds), these four players were the A to Z for the Greens.
Especially
Sarunas Jasikevicius
was a real captain and a coach in the court, more specifically in the
last minutes of the game, the Lithuanian super star gave two amazing
assist to Pekovic and Batiste which were the key to the final success.
On the other hand, from Olympiakos who played evenly great, top scorer
was Lynn Greer who scored 18 points but he was invisible in the second
half as he scored just two points from the charity line, from a close
distance was the Croatian Vujcic who scored 14 points while Papaloukas
who tried to turn the game up side down when he stole the ball from
Jasikevicius, assist Printezis and scored a three pointer in less than a
minute to cut the deficit from seven to two with just a minute to go. The fans create an amazing atmosphere and there were not any problems or
any fights as many 'European experts' predicted for the game.
The MVP of the game was another Lithuanian (in the first semi final
between CSKA and Barca, the MVP was Siskauskas),
Sarunas Jasikevicius was amazing in the second part of the game, he
scored, he assists and he even played good defence, an area which is not
his strong point.
The first period ended at 21-27, but its total
picture doesn't reflect the score at all. Panathinaikos took a quick
lead (7-0 and 9-2 by Perperoglou-4 points- and
Nikola Pekovic
(210-C-86, agency:
Beo Basket) -5).
Olympiacos reduced it at 9-7 but the Greens continued by hitting inside
the field since Vujcic faced many difficulties either with
Nikola Pekovic or
with
Vassilis Spanoulis
(193-G-82, agency:
Beo Basket)).
Since the Reds were behind by 6 (15-9), having already made 3 turnovers,
it was
Thodoros Papaloukas
(200-G-77, agency:
Interperformances)'
time. Hiw entering calmed Olympiacos' game, and with Bourousis entering
the Reds strengthened their defense and found ways to score. Although
Vassilis Spanoulis
scored 11 points, the Reds came close very close (21-22) with
Lynn Greer
(186-G-79, college:
Temple) helping
also a lot, before the final 21-27, with a
Vassilis Spanoulis'
buzzer 3p shot.
At the second period, the first three minutes belong to
Nikola Pekovic.
He scored 8 consecutive points for Panathinaikos' 28-35 and nothing
seemed possible to stop him, except from his fouls (2). Although he was
made a substitute, Panathinaikos continued to take advantage of Vujcic's
bad defense (32-39) and only
Lynn Greer's
attempts (15 points) were keeping the Reds alive (37-39, 2:53 before the
half time).
Thodoros Papaloukas
equalised the score with 1:34 remaining. The final 41-43 reflects how
the Reds were improved at their defense (only 8 points at the last 5
minutes, regarding the 35 at the rest fifteen).
A nice first half at this second semi-final with Panathinaikos taking a
quic lead, seemed to be the dominator of the game, but
Thodoros Papaloukas
and
Lynn Greer
changed the whole picture. What should be mentioned is the fact that
Panathinaikos was scoring almsot totally from inside (1/6 3p shots),
which was outbalanced by its 6 offensive rebounds. The Reds managed to
return, having good percentages and due to their leaders and the
concentration they gave to their team's play.
The third period was characterised by the continuous series:
Olympiacos 5-0 (46-43)
Panathinaikos 7-0 (46-50)
Olympiacos 8-0 (54-50)
Panathinaikos 4-0 (54-54)
Panathinaikos 10-1 (60-66)
This last one gave the Greens a significant lead of these 6 points which
was reduced by the end at three (63-66) after a Bourousis' 3p shot.
Vujcic (9), Batiste (8) and Jasievicius distinguished at that time.
At the last period Panathinaikos leaded 65-73, after a successful 3p
shot by
Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-G-76, college:
Maryland), taking advantage of Vujcic'
two successive turnovers, while the Reds also faced a problems with
fouls (Bourousis and Childress 4, Vujcic 3 with 8 minutes
remaining).However the Reds made a 6-0 serie to bring the difference to
2 (71-73). Panathinaikos then seemed more concentrated leading again by
7 (74-81) with 2:31 remaining. However, a quick 6-0 serie in 53 seconds
brought the Reds again at 1 (80-81). Pekovic scored a free throw for the
80-82 and Bourousis 2 respectively for the draw (82-82). Pekovic's
successful shot for the 82-84 was the crucial one since Bourousis lost
the last shot. Final 84-82 for the Greens. Olympiacos: Papaloukas 9, Childress 11, Vujcic 14,
Bourousis 10, Halperin 4, Greer 18, Vougioukas, Printezis 9, Erceg 4,
Teodosic 3, Pargo Panathinaikos: Kecman, Spanoulis 18, Perperoglou 4,
Batiste 19, Fotsis 5, Nicholas, Tsartsaris, Diamantidis, Pekovic 20,
Jasikevicius 18
Posted by Chris Mammides and Kostas Papadopoulos
CSKA for the fourth time in the final
- May 2, 2009 (by Kostas
Papadopoulos) It was certainly an exciting first semi-final.
Barca provided a strong obstacle to CSKA's win but it finally did not
succeeded. And this due to
Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78). The Lithuanian super star scored 25
points at the second half (missing only a free throw and suceeding in
his 4 2p, 3 3p shots and 7 rest free throws) and showed
David Andersen (212-C-80) who is the real boss. The Barca's center
may have scored 24 points respectively but there were not enough. What
counted mostly? CSKA's experience; and certainly Siska.
The thrird period was almost totally balanced. Barcelona made a 5-0
serie for the 41-32, but the Russians answered for the 43-39 and then
for the 47-46. It was a battle between
David Andersen (17 points) and
Ramunas Siskauskas (11), who equalised the score at 52-52, before
the ending 56-54.
CSKA draw again at 56-56, but 5 consecutive points from
David Andersen made then the 61-56. Messina placed Planinic for the
first time in the game. Can he change it?
Ramunas Siskauskas succeeded in 2 in-a-row 3 point shots and there
CSKA is! Ahead at the score for a first time: 61-62, 6:26 before the
end. And with 5 more points from him, 61-67. CSKA made a 13-5 serie with
Ramunas Siskauskas scoring 11 of these points!!!
The difference increased at 6 (64-70) later, with 4:20 remaining. At
that time
Ramunas Siskauskas had scored 20 points at this half but what should
be mentioned is that the whole picture of the game changed after
Planinic entered the game.
Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80)'s second successful 3-point shot made
the 69-72.
Ramunas Siskauskas answered with 2 free throws (69-74), and after
missed shots from both sides, Ilyasova made the 71-74.
Trajan Langdon (192-G-76, college:
Duke)
responded with a basket (71-76),
Juan Carlos Navarro succeeded in another 3-point shot (74-76) but
Ramunas Siskauskas and
J.R. Holden (185-G-76, college:
Bucknell) then made the 74-80, with 21,9 seconds remaining. Nothing
changed until the end; consecutive free throws made the final 78-82 and
the Russians are at the final for fourth time in a row. Barcelona: Basile 5, Barton 2,
Jaka Lakovic (186-G-78) 13,
Juan Carlos Navarro 13,
David Andersen 24,
Fran Vazquez (210-C-83) 6,
Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
N.Mexico) 9, Grimau 4, Sada, Ilyasova 2 CSKA:
Matjaz Smodis (205-F-79) 9,
Ramunas Siskauskas 29,
J.R. Holden 8,
Trajan Langdon 15, Kaun 4,
Viktor Khryapa (204-F/G-82) 9, Zisis,
Erazem Lorbek (210-F/C-84, college:
Michigan St.) 8, Planinic, Morris
Copyright (c) 1998-2012 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
Obradovic
