Russians get the better of Greeks
Both Greek teams lost in basketball’s Eurocup last night, while Panathinaikos and Olympiakos prepare for crucial Euroleague clashes tomorrow. A disastrous third period condemned Maroussi to its second loss in the second group stage of the Eurocup, going down at home to Dynamo Moscow 80-76. The Athens side is now level on points – with two wins out of four games – with another Russian side, Khimki, which beat Panellinios 101-94 at home. The results mean Panellinios is mathematically eliminated, while Maroussi will have to avoid defeat in next week’s match at Khimki, or at least lose by no more than 13 points – the margin of its win at home in January. Panathinaikos, who on Sunday night won the Greek Cup by beating Olympiakos 80-70 at Hellenikon, will need to start refocusing on the Euroleague ahead of its important away game in Rome against Lottomatica. Olympiakos has an easier match at home against Poland’s Prokom, but the loss in the cup final has created tension within the team and caused some fans to turn against the coach and players. The fans’ numbers and reaction tomorrow will be as eagerly anticipated as the match itself.
