The "graduation european week" for Panathinaikos against Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow told that the team was able to play until the final buzzer, putting in trouble probably the two most candidate for final victory, but at the end two defeats came, with loss of OAKA seasonal unbeatability against russians, with ranking that now become a little bit problematic. Fenerbahce and Olympiacos, which shared the second position, are just one victory distant, but Real Madrid and Zalgiris Kaunas catch Panathinaikos fourth and Khimki at seventh is just one victory behind.
Also against CSKA was missed a huge occasion to be definitively a top team, playing and fighting until the end, thanks above all for a huge defense, with Thanasi absolute starring in offensive phase too, that permitted to stay close at halftime, when the score from behind the arc was really tragic (1/16 for a very bad 6/28 total at the end). From third quarter Panathinaikos shown his really face, still playing hard defence and finally found and scored good shots, taking 10 points advantage and giving a general feeling that OAKA made another top victim, with all stadium totally hot and CSKA in huge trouble. But after a 3 minutes interruption after a foul called to Singleton rhythm was broken and difference was closed shortly and CSKA take advantage to run away during last five minues of game and, after last attempts by Pappas (as usual go to guy for last quarter) and Rivers, who cut difference from 63-71 to 69-71, Rodriguez, with a killer three pointer at the expire of 24 seconds, close the situation, with russians that now lock the first position.
So, 0 victories and 2 defeats for close the hot week, but not everything must to be considered negative and, of course, now we must not destroy all the good things done during first 19 games, starting immediately from next week, when after ESAKE game with Lavrio (without forgetting that they are in second place), Zalgiris Kaunas will come to OAKA for the big match of 20th round. For restart to win and give to 18.000 fantastic fans further occasion to dream again!
