Panathinaikos – FC Barcelona: Victory in unusual circumstances (67-80)

Panathinaikos – FC Barcelona: Victory in unusual circumstances (67-80)

A bomb scare at half time led to the game finishing later than planned in the OAKA arena in Athens. Xavi Pascual's team recorded their ninth win in Europe and secured first place in their group

FC Barcelona recorded another victory in the Euroleague this Friday on an evening that was not without drama on and off the court. A bomb threat at half time in Athens led to the OAKA centre being evacuated with both teams being led off to a neighbouring court until the game was finally able to get under way again some 50 minutes after the end of the second quarter.

Marcelinho leads first half charge

Despite the unusual circumstances, Xavi Pascual's team put in another professional performance to overcome Panathinaikos thanks to a dominant first half performance that saw them go in at the break with a 17 point lead. With their latest victory FC Barcelona end the Euroleague group stage with nine wins and they top their group. Coach Pascual celebrated his 500th game in charge fo the side with a win that means that they now know who their rivals in the top 16 will be. The Greek home side struggled in the first quarter without their star Diamantidis. Barça scored 13 unanswered points early on with Marcelinho Huertas in inspirational form to give themselves a 17-6 lead.

Bomb scare at half time

The blaugranes dominance continued in the second quarter with Hezonja, Satoransky and Lampe joining the party - at half time Pascual's team led by 17 with the score 40 to 23. The prolonged half time break due to the bomb scare appeared initially to favour Panathinaikos with the Greeks reducing the lead to single figures early in the second half. Nevetheless, thanks to excellent defensive work Barça regained their composure and their lead. In the fourth quarter the result was never in doubt and an alley-oop from Hezonja only served to highlight their superiority in a victory that was achieved without the injured Alex Abrines and Brad Oleson.

Força Barça
Força Barça

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