PAO Show Top Class! 04.03.2010.   BC Partizan team failed to make another top class performance as Panathinaikos, Athens demonstrated power and quality worth their value in the Euroleague Top 16, Group E, Week 5 clash, as they beat the Black and Whites 82:66 The first quarter of the match starts with plenty of running and teams remain equal as the beginning of the match is marked with lots of open shots and only three fouls, PAO two and Partizan one, 19:19. The second quarter starts with a scoreline see-saw but soon after Partizan guys start to feel the pressure of match importance and after several turnovers from the players in white jerseys, the Greens from Athens lead by five 23:28. In those moments, Partizan has poor realisation for the field goals but keeps the step with the mighty opponents by offensive rebounds and second, sometimes even third or fourth chance points. The stats proved that Partizan players grabbed 9 defensive and amazing 12 offensive rebounds after just 17 minutes of play, while guests had just 10 defensive rebounds. Partizan is just a step behind but PAO scores a buzzer basket for half time score 32:35. The second half brings us stubborn and resilient game from the Greens who will not give their lead away. However, after five minutes of play BC Partizan players even the score 40:40. Nevertheless, too many turnovers and misjudged passes see the PAO guys in front by 10 at 45:55. The Greens cannot miss a three point shot and finish the third quarter in that style. The Black and White guys score easy basket for minus eight but whenever they score either unbelievable Drew Nicholas (6/6 for 3p) or Perperoglou (4/6 for 3p) keep the chip and raise the stake. The off-the-pressure approach from the guests who have nothing to lose, stands in the way of puzzled Partizan players and the lead keeps rising until the match finishes with the final score 66:82. However, BC Partizan players who fought very hard in this match despite a heavy loss, got their victory from the stands as the fans kept singing for more than half an hour after the match finished stating that no matter what, they will always be with them! "Panathinaikos won this match deservedly just for the fact that they are a team of more quality than Partizan team. Although they have already been knocked out of the competition, they have managed to recover from the shock and beat Olympiacos in the Greek derby match and come to Belgrade as a new team to defend their stature, name and power. Their off-the pressure approach was obvious while we could not move due to high expectations we had set by previous results. Moreover, our performance was poor regardless of the fact that they are more quality team. This match brings us to the ground and gives us touch of reality. Once again, congratulations to Panathinaikos. Big thanks to the fans for their tremendous support in the Euroleague matches so far, they have been giving us energy with perfect cheering. I only regret for the fact that we owe them a lot for tonight as we were not on that level .", said BC Partizan Head Coach Duško Vujošević. Partizan – Panathinaikos 66:82 (19:19, 13:16, 18:25, 16:22) Partizan: Roberts 8, Sinovec , McCalebb 22, Kecman 9, Milošević , Rašić 4, Mitrović 2, Božić 5, Marić 6, Vesely 8, Đekić , Vraneš 2. Panathinaikos: Tepić , Spanoulis 7, Perperoglou 16, Batiste 12, Fotsis 2, Haislip 9, Nicholas 22, Diamantidis 9, Calathes 1, Shermadini 4, Verginis , Jasikevicius . < Back   1. Partizan 13/1 2. Hemofarm Štada 12/2 3. Radnički 9/5 4. Crvena zvezda 8/6 5. FMP 6/8 6. Metalac 3/11 7. Tamiš Petrohemija 3/11 8. Borac 2/12 1. Cibona 20/6 2. Partizan 20/6 3. Hemofarm Štada 17/9 4. Union Olimpija 15/11 5. Budućnost m:tel 15/11 6. Zagreb CO 14/12 7. Cedevita 13/13 8. Zadar 13/13 9. Crvena zvezda 11/15 10. Široki HT Eronet 11/15 11. Radnički 11/15 12. FMP 10/16 13. Bosna ASA BHT 6/20 14. Helios Domžale 6/20