The EuroLeague and T-Center Panathinaikos is… a different team altogether, and they proved it against Villeurbanne.
With focus at its peak, energy and tenacity on defense, rebound dominance, sound decision-making, and a collective effort on offense, they crushed yet another French team on their home court and improved to 2-0 to start the season.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The “Greens” dictated the pace of the game from the first quarter, built a double-digit lead, and never allowed Tony Parker’s team to believe it could turn the tide.
Zeljko Obradović once again saw his players work as a team, with no significant difference in performance regardless of who was on the court. The offensive diversity was also notable for the second straight game, with 11 players stepping onto the court and all of them scoring (five of them in double figures)!
Leading the way was Lefteris Mantzoukas, who set three career highs in the EuroLeague with 16 points and a player rating of 19, as well as 6 rebounds.
Sylvain Francisco also put on another outstanding performance, finishing with 19 points on 3-for-5 shooting from three-point range, 2 assists, and 0 turnovers, while Panagiotis Kalaitzakis was everywhere on both ends of the court, with his 5 assists setting a career high in the EuroLeague (along with 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals).
The quarter scores: 25-13, 56-34, 80-56, 102-79
*photo source: euroleaguebasketball
