GRE - Panathinaikos win against impressive Roma

ATHENS (Euroleague) - Defending champions Panathinaikos had to come from behind to win over Lottomatica Roma on Wednesday in the opening week of the Euroleague.

Iceland's Jon Stefansson, who had game-high 25 points, hit one of his five three-pointers to give the Italian team a 79-75 lead late the fourth quarter.

But Panathinaikos' big summer signing Sarunas Jasikevicius reeled off seven straight points to put the Greens back in front for good.

Jasikevicius, who led Lithuania to the bronze medal at this summer's EuroBasket, finished with 11 points for Panathinaikos.

The Greek giants were led by Vassilis Spanoulis' 15 points while Dimitrios Diamantidis had 14.

Fellow Greek side Aris also won their opener at home, beating Spanish powerhouse Unicaja Malaga 87-83.

Aris trailed 65-59 after the third quarter but hit back to win with Jeremiah Massey pouring in 20 points and former North Carolina Tar Heel Reyshawn Terry adding 18.

Terry's biggest two points came near the end of the game when he dunked to give Aris an 83-76 lead.

"In my opinion," new Aris coach Gordon Herbert said, "the crucial moment of the game was when Terry dunked it, as it made Unicaja run out of hope."

Partizan Belgrade defeated Barcelona, 81-78, and Italian league leaders Montepaschi Siena brushed aside Union Olimpija, 80-52.

The night's other game saw Virtus Bologna defeat Zalgiris Kaunas 81-75.

FIBA