Baskonia seeks the top in the OAKA
MADRID, 10 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Cazoo Baskonia visits Panathinaikos this Friday (8:30 pm) on matchday seven of the Euroleague with the triumphant inertia of its last performance against Maccabi and looking to the top of the table, in an OAKA that seeks to recover better times.
Joan Peñarroya’s team does not want to stop their first colossal stretch of the campaign, especially in the case of a new project, from the bench to the key pieces on the floor. Maccabi’s was the last exhibition (116-87) of a Baskonia with 4-2 in the table.
In addition, the duel against Tel Aviv served to recover the path of victory after their two continental defeats. In the Endesa League, those from Vitoria also work, with the victory on Sunday in extra time against Real Betis (5-2).
Week after week, raising the level is the challenge, with no excuse for tiredness since the weekend will have to rest due to the FIBA ??qualifying ‘window’ for the 2023 World Cup. Athens due to some discomfort in his left knee.
Baskonia and Panathinaikos have met up to 30 times, with a balance of 15 wins for each team. The ‘PAO’, six times European champion, seems one more season out of the favorites for the title, without reaching the ‘playoffs’ since 2019.
Coach Dejan Radonjic counts on Derrick Williams, Marius Grigonis, Mateusz Ponitka and Arturas Gudaitis to restore lost glory to a Panathinaikos bottom of the table with a poor record of 1-5. The Greeks will have to get their act together to stop a Baskonia that shows off one of the best attacks.
Howard and Thompson lead the artillery, while Henry joined the party in the last game against Betis. Peñarroya has everyone with a sharp fang, to avoid moments of disconnection with a defense at the highest level. With Hommes out, Costello and Kotsar will have to give a plus.
PANATHINAIKOS: Lee, Grigonis, P.Kalaitzakis, Williams y Papagiannis –possible quintet initial– Ponitka, Gudaitis, G.Kalaitzakis, Andrews, Bochoridis, Chougaz y Mantzoukas.
CAZOO BASKONIA: Thompson, Marinkovic, Giedraitis, Sedekerskis and Kotsar –possible starting quintet–; Costello, Henry, Kurucs, Raieste, Diez, and Howard.
— ARBITRATOR: Javor, Hordov y Balak.
–PAVILLION: Oaka Altion.
–TIME: 20.30/Dazn.
