GRE – Spanoulis looks ahead to crunch game with Malaga

ATHENS (Euroleague) – Unicaja Malaga have no chance of reaching the last eight of the Euroleague but Panathinaikos know the Spanish outfit will try to do its best to win in Athens this week to prevent the Greens from claiming first place in Group G.

Panathinaikos lost at Partizan Belgrade last week in front of 22,567 fans at the Belgrade Arena to leave both sides with 4-1 records in the group, and that setback has left them needing to win against the Aito Garcia Reneses’ Unicaja to lock up top spot.

Zeljko Obradovic’s team was fully focused at the weekend when they hammered Egaleo, 103-77.

“We wanted to win against Egaleo, but also to perform well heading into the game against Malaga,” said Vassilis Spanoulis, one of the Greece national team’s top players.

“It’s a game that can hand us the first place in our group and the advantage for the Euroleague play-offs. We have to be focused from the first to the last second of the game.”

Panathinaikos are still two points adrift of Olympiacos in the Greek top flight. The Reds also won their game over the weekend.

“Right now we don’t care about the standings of the Greek League,” Spanoulis said.

“The one thing we want is to play one game at a time and to be healthy. Now our mind is set only on Unicaja Malaga.

“The fact the Spanish team is already out of the competition just means that the Spaniards can be more dangerous.

“They will have no stress. That’s the way are thinking! We have to play with energy, to control the rebounds and not make turnovers.”

Because Partizan were beaten decisively in Athens, Panathinaikos will top the pool on a tie-breaker should both teams win this week and improve to 5-1.

Dusko Vujosevic’s Belgrade team travels to Italy to face Lottomatica Roma, who have yet to win in the Top 16.

"Unfortunately, defeats will fall into the way of every team,” Spanoulis said.

“We made some turnovers that cost us the victories in two games, but we know we are in a very good shape. Crucial games are coming up and what we want to play as good as it gets in order to get the victory we need.

“If we play in a full house, things will get much easier for us. We want our fans next to us.

“We have made a big effort in the Top16. We performed well and we want our fans to help us to get to an important win.”

Clark snatches MVP of Week award in Greece

Keydran Clark of Aris snatched Player of the Week honors in Greece after leading his team past AEK Athens 71-65.

Clark led all scorers with 27 points.

He received 104 votes in the weekly MVP counting with Serbia international Milos Teodosic of Olympiacos coming second after helping his team survive a very tough game against Kolossos in Rhodes.

Teodosic drilled six of seven three-balls and finished with 23 points as the Reds escaped with a 79-73 win.

Even worse for Kolossos, who are now in ninth place, was the loss of Steven Smith to an Achilles injury.

His season is over, with the player travelling home to the United States to have an operation.

Smith has been one of the best players in the Greek top flight.

Olympiacos are on top of the Greek standings, two points clear of defending champions Panathinaikos.

FIBA