Real Madrid crashes against a great Panathinaikos
Mateo’s team suffer, a month later, the second defeat in a row in the Euroleague, the first at home
MADRID, 29 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid stumbled (86-97) this Thursday against Panathinaikos on matchday 27 of the Euroleague held in a WiZink Center that suffered defeat for the first time in the European season, the whites being surpassed by a Greek team that, in recent three months, he has become a serious contender for the title.
Chus Mateo’s team returned almost a month later to the defense of the title won last year with a second straight defeat. Madrid suffered 19 turnovers and, despite its reaction at the start of the second half, was unable to stop a Panathinaikos team with a cool head and very focused players such as Mathias Lessort (26 points), Kendrick Nunn (17), Kostas Sloukas (16 ) and Marius Grigonis (11).
Madrid started with the excitement of offering the Copa del Rey to its fans, but the game became more complicated until it was very much against us in the second quarter. Mateo’s team did not find their key players but started ahead (24-18) with the good work of Guerschon Yabusele, Fabien Causeur and Alberto Abalde.
The Greek team clearly went from less to more and in the second quarter they began a comeback that was barely stopped by the home team. Europe’s best attack dried up completely and the losses that already appeared in the first 10 minutes continued. Madrid left it up to 13 at half-time, also giving up the fight for the rebound.
Thus, Mateo’s men allowed a Panathinaikos team that enjoyed the streaks of Juancho Hernangómez and Mathias Lessort to grow and, above all, run. One basket after another and Madrid without an answer. Campazzo forced a couple of fouls from Nunn but the visiting point guard also left his flashes, like the final score of 36-45 at halftime.
The time in the locker room suited the whites well, with a strong and successful return led by Causeur. Madrid turned the score around with fellow Frenchman Yabusele, but Nunn stopped the local dynamic in time. Tavares confirmed not having his day but Vincent Poirier was effective for Mateo’s team under the rim.
However, the fight with Lessort cried out for help and Madrid’s play did not end up saving the losses. The last set began stuck for everyone except Musa, author of each basket for the locals. Then, Panathinaikos burst in from three-point range with Grant and Sloukas putting the Greeks ahead.
Every time the Spanish team approached, the visitor found a triple to silence the Palace, or not so much because there were a few green shirts in the Goya pavilion. Grigonis began to put the finishing touch and Panathinaikos celebrated the victory in style, with Ergin Ataman’s project going third (17-10) in the table. Mateo’s team continues to have a comfortable lead, which will soon be a record for Madrid in the regular phase (23-4).
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 86 – PANATHINAIKOS, 97. (36-45, at half-time).
–EQUIPMENT.
REAL MADRID: Campazzo (9), Causeur (13), Abalde (6), Yabusele (18) and Tavares (10) –starting quintet– Llull (-9, Hezonja (12), Musa (16), Deck ( -), Poirier (-), S.Rodríguez (2).
PANATHINAIKOS: Nunn (17), Grant (4), Grigonis (11), Mitoglou (8) y Lessort (26) –quinteto inicial– Sloukas (16), Papapetrou (7), Hernangómez (6), Balcerowski (2) ), Mantzoukas (-).
–PARTIALS: 24-18, 12-27, 25-22, 25-30.
–REFEREES: Boltauzer, Mogulkoc and Bissang. Nunn and Grant eliminated due to fouls.
–PAVILLION: WiZink Center.