GRE - Panathinaikos win latest battle with Olympiacos

ATHENS (A1 Ethniki) – Panathinaikos rebounded from their Greek Cup and Euroleague disappointments by beating rivals Olympiacos on Sunday to take a two-game lead in Greece’s regular-season title race.

Zeljko Obradovic’s side prevailed 98-90 with Drew Nicholas scoring 27 points, Dimitris Diamantidis 26 and Vassilis Spanoulis 22.

Diamantidis, who is expected to play for Greece at the FIBA World Championship this year, had a great all-round game and his coach marveled at his performance.

"In basketball in Europe it is very difficult to see a player play like Diamantidis played tonight,” Obradovic said, “with 26 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.

“It is very difficult to see something like this in Europe.”

The game was of huge importance to Panathinaikos, especially from a psychological standpoint.

Panathinaikos had lost to Olympiacos in the final of the Greek Cup nine days ago and followed that with a home defeat to Barcelona, a result that dropped the club to 0-4 in the Top 16 of the Euroleague and ended their title defense.

“One thing that makes me proud is the way the fans have supported them,” Obradovic said. “I would like to thank them from my heart because they are with them in the tough times and this is very important to me and my players. I'm sure that will continue.”

Maroussi had been one of the hottest teams in Europe but have now lost three games in a row overall after falling 74-69 at Ilisiakos.

Georgios Bartzokas’ Maroussi are in third place - four games adrift of Panathinaikos and now just one clear of in-form Panellinios.

Vaggelis Sakellario hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining as Trikala beat Aris Thessaloniki 87-85 in Greece on Saturday.

David Young poured in 31 points and Slovenia national team center Miha Zupan contributed 19 with eight rebounds for Trikala.

Panellinios claimed an 87-85 triumph at Panionios.

The home side led 60-49 late in the third quarter but allowed Panellinios to go on a 23-1 run over a stretch that lasted nearly eight minutes.

They led the rest of the way.

In other games on Saturday, AEK Athens fell at home to Kolossos, 69-54, GS Peristeriou hammered Olympia Larissa, 90-69, and PAOK lost to visitors Kavala, 84-77.

On Sunday, Panathinaikos are at home to Olympiacos and Maroussi travel to Ilisiakos.



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