Monaco, which returned to its Gaston-Médecin hall after playing its three previous Euroleague matches away, was trapped by Panathinaikos Athens, winner of the Roca Team (90-91) thanks to a winning basket of Marius Grigonis at the last second, Tuesday during the 15th day of the European competition. Thanks to this improbable success, Pana moves (6th) ahead of Monaco (7th) in the provisional Euroleague rankings
Under the eyes of tennis player Alexander Zverev, world No.7, Panathinaikos got the best start in this meeting (4-0, 9-5, 14-8, 18-10, 20-12), thanks to the address three points behind winger Marius Grigonis and leader Konstantinos Loukas. But everything moves quickly in basketball: a little more clumsiness on the Pana side, a little more efficiency on the offensive rebound on the Monegasque side, and the Roca Team was only three points behind after the first quarter (22-19).
Sasa Obradovic’s men, after another moment of hesitation at the very start of the second period with several lost balls, ended up taking the lead 7 min 05 sec from the end of the second quarter (31-28). Thanks to a rediscovered collective and all its players capable of carrying the danger, Monaco widened the gap, and took the lead (47-39 at half-time).
Confident, aggressive in defense, Mike James’ teammates widened the gap further in the third quarter (60-45, 26th). The Argentinian Luca Vildoza was able to bring his team back to six points (61-55, 29th), the ASM, with an omnipresent Kemba Walker, regained some air (67-56 at the end of the 3rd quarter) . Before losing control in a final quarter where Ergin Ataman’s team, with an untenable Kendrick Ninn and a Matthias Lessort – ex-Monaco player – found in the racket, was able to achieve an unexpected victory.
