One of the three teams that defeated Panathinaikos in Athens this season is Maccabi. It was at the beginning of the season, in October, when the team from Tel Aviv, led by Bonzi Colson, won 86:81 after overtime.
Previously, PAO lost in the first round at home against their big rival, Olympiakos, and after the match with Maccabi, they suffered another defeat against Real at home.
From that moment, Ergin Ataman's team tied nine victories in the OAKA arena, played well even away from home, so the regular part of the season ended in second place (23-11) and after five years they qualified for the playoffs, where they will play exactly against Maccabi (20-14). The first game is tonight (19:30) in Athens. OAKA was born a long time ago, a great atmosphere is expected.
DON'T MISS IT
"There is no easy series in the playoffs. We finished in second place, Maccabi in seventh, but before the first game the score was 0:0. Maccabi has great, experienced players. They have been together for two years, offensively they are the best team in the league. But , we will play the defense that is our trademark," Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman said in the announcement of the match.
The series is played on three won matches, and the second match is on Thursday (20.15) also in Athens.
"We're going game by game. It's an important game and we have to be concentrated. Maccabi is a great team, and we have to do our job well," said Panathinaikos basketball player Marius Grigonis.
Maccabi reached the quarter-finals through the play-offs. The giant from Israel defeated Baskonia in Belgrade in the play-off.
"We know it will be a great atmosphere. We are excited and happy to be at this stage. We are a talented team, we play quite simply. We will not change our style of play. We have to play our best basketball and adapt to the situation on the court," said the coach Maccabiah by Katash.
Bonus video:
