Reds and Greens attain Euroleague objectives
Two easy wins for Olympiakos and Panathinaikos ensured they have attained their main objectives at this first group stage of the Euroleague, as the Reds are assured of the top spot in their pool while Panathinaikos has sealed a spot in the top-16 and is eyeing the third place in its group.
Olympiakos beat Limoges in France on Thursday at the 10th time of asking, as in the first nine encounters between the two teams the French were always the winners. This time the Greeks won 76-67, with coach Yiannis Sferopoulos handing Shawn James his debut with Olympiakos in the Euroleague.
Despite the absence of captain Vassilis Spanoulis, the Reds (vested in black on the night) had three other Greeks scoring in double digits, as Giorgos Printezis had 13 points, Vangelis Mantzaris notched up 12 and Ioannis Papapetrou added 11 points.
Panathinaikos needed victory over Zielona Gora and produced an emphatic home performance on Friday to win 82-51 and avenge its loss in Poland. It had Nick Calathes score 18 points and James Gist add another 14.
The Greens will finish third and avoid clashing with Olympiakos in the Top-16 if they beat Zalgiris Kaunas in the last game of this group stage in Lithuania next week.
In the Eurocup on Wednesday PAOK kept its hopes of progressing alive beating Saratov 104-99 at home, Aris won 77-67 at Steaua Bucharest and is top of its group, while AEK's 82-78 reverse at Hapoel Jerusalem means it risks missing out on qualification.
