Euroleague (2008-2009)

Euroleague Play-Offs 2008-2009

Q.Finals Semis Finals Semis Q.Finals
Real Madrid1
Olympiacos3
CSKA3
Partizan0
Olympiacos82
Panathinaikos84
Panathinaikos73
CSKA71
FCB Regal78
CSKA82
Panathinaikos3
Montepaschi1
FCB Regal3
Caja Laboral2
Euroleague Standings 2008-2009
#
Club
W-L
PTS
LOST
Group E
2
4-2
556
474
3
2-4
455
529
Group F
1
5-1
508
429
2
5-1
505
487
3
2-4
459
481
4
0-6
427
502
Group G
1
5-1
503
428
3
2-4
484
461
4
1-5
441
525
Group H
1
5-1
454
377
2
4-2
472
456
3
2-4
423
456
Group A
1
8-2
771
698
3
6-4
815
811
4
5-5
760
772
5
3-7
754
814
6
2-8
747
819
Group B
1
9-1
813
650
2
8-2
835
750
3
7-3
763
707
5
2-8
716
812
6
2-8
706
855
Group C
1
8-2
916
808
2
6-4
728
717
4
4-6
691
748
5
4-6
800
810
Group D
1
7-3
774
644
2
6-4
740
707
3
5-5
734
745
5
4-6
713
762
6
3-7
668
790
Stats Leaders 2008-2009
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
Rakocevic_Igor_1

Baskonia
(191-G-1978)
Avg: 17.8

2
17.0
3
16.2
9
14.6
10
14.0
Euroleague Final
Panathinaikos Athens conquer Euroleague trophy
All-Euroleague 1st and 2nd team (Photo: Euroleague)
Panathinaikos Athens Champions Euroleague
   Panathinaikos Athens (Season: 2008-2009)   
# Name CM (INCH) Pos Bo NAT

11

Nicholas Andrew 191 (6'3'') G 81 USA

15

Sakota Dusan 209 (6'10'') F 86 SRB-GRE

14

Pekovic Nikola 210 (6'11'') C 86 MNT

19

Jasikevicius Sarunas 192 (6'4'') G 76 LTU

13

Diamantidis Dimitris 196 (6'5'') G 80 GRE

7

Perperoglou Stratos 203 (6'8'') G 84 GRE

5

Kecman Dusan 197 (6'6'') G/F 77 SRB

10

Chatzivrettas Nikos 195 (6'5'') G 77 GRE

12

Tsartsaris Costas 210 (6'11'') F 79 GRE

8

Batiste Mike 203 (6'8'') F 77 USA

16

Shermadini Giorgi 216 (7'1'') C 89 GEO

Tatarounis Aris 192 (6'4'') G 89 GRE

6

Spanoulis Vassilis 193 (6'4'') G 82 GRE

4

Alvertis Fragiskos 206 (6'9'') F 74 GRE

9

Fotsis Antonis 210 (6'11'') F 81 GRE

17

Verginis Dimitris 194 (6'5'') G 87 GRE
Head Coach: Zeljko Obradovic
Coach Assistant: Dimitris Itoudis
Coach Assistant: Andreas Pistiolis
Final Four MVP
Top Scorer
Greens are the new champions !-May 4, 2009
And here is the final!!! Incredible beginning by CSKA; 12-7 four minutes in the game with 6/8 shots while Panathinaikos has already made two mistakes. Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) at 7 points from Greens' nine later (9-12). And with Pekovic and Andrew Nicholas (191-G-81, college: Maryland) at 13-12. The Greens want to hit from inside the paint and although CSKA found ways to defense initially then the whole situation changed. And the serie had not stopped; 10-0 and the score at 17-12 while the Green fans are in an ecstasy. Finally the Russians found some solutions, mainly with Holden, and the period ended at 21-16. CSKA found a lot of difficulties in the last five minutes. It should be mentioned its 0/4 3p shots. Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78) almost invisible, just as Smodis (no scoring).

At the first 3:27 minutes of the second period Panathinaikos dominated. With two consecutive successive 3p shots from Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-G-76, college: Maryland) and Diamantidis and a basket from Andrew Nicholas it took a 12 point difference (31-19) and the Russians seemed incapable to stop the Green 'tsunami', which palys without his clear center (Pekovic) but with Batiste and Tsartsaris who give it the chance to run even faster. At that time CSKA committed three turnovers. The difference edged even the 15 points (36-21), with 2:32 remaining after another successful 3p shot from Diamantidis. At that time, CSKA (in 7:28 minutes had scored only 5 points). But it was not the biggest yet; 17 points later, and 20 at the buzzer, after four more 3p shots by Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81), Vassilis Spanoulis, Jasievicius and Andrew Nicholas (48-28). That was the final score of this incredible first half.

And it was so since Panathinaikos had 7/10 successful 3p shots at the second period, while CSKA did not score a single one in throughout the whole half. The Greens run a lot, Ramunas Siskauskas had only one basket,just like Smodis and Trajan Langdon (192-G-76, college: Duke) and only Holden fought with his 12 points. Obradovic was the dominator while his friend Messina seemed that he had to hear his wife complaining him again.

The third period began at the same exactly tempo: a 3p shot from Sarunas Jasikevicius (51-28). A 5-0 serie brought the Russians to 18 points (51-33) then but the Greens responded with their 5-0 and another 3p shot from Antonis Fotsis; 10/17 their percentage. 7-0 then again for the Russians (56-40) with 3:30 remaining, which, at last with their first successful 3p shot, was extended to 10-0 by Trajan Langdon. The explanation? Messina at last changed his defense system, abandoning the zone. Obradovic took a time-out but the Russians have returned (?). Three lost offenses for the greek team but the Russians did not succeed in a single one; only in a free throw (56-44). But Panathinaikos fourth consecutive lost offense brought CSKA even closer. 56-46, with the serie extended to 13-0. the third period ended at this 10 point difference, with Panathinaikos not having scored for 6 whole minutes.

And the serie went up to 15-0 (56-50) 1:55 after the beginning of the last period. The game has restarted for sure!!! Antonis Fotsis broke it with his third 3p shot (59-50). Perperoglou's 6 consecutive points brought the difference again to 13 points (65-52) with 5:38 remaining. But a 8-0 serie brought the Russians again to 5-point difference (65-60). Which was reduced even more after a successful 3p shot from Khryapa (70-66), 40,9 seconds before the end. He lost though two crucial free throws immediately after, but Diamantidis made a mistake or rather Mr. Juan Carlos Arteaga made a wrong call (8 seconds violation). Ramunas Siskauskas succeeded in another 3p shot for the point-difference (70-69) 26,2 sec. for the end. Diamantidis won the foul, scored the two free throws (72-69), Ramunas Siskauskas in his owns (72-71), Sarunas Jasikevicius lost though one (73-71) and CSKA had 5,8 seconds to attack. Ramunas Siskauskas lost the 3p shot and the GREENS ARE THE NEW CHAMPIONS

Panathinaikos: Vassilis Spanoulis 13, Perperoglou 6, Batiste 6, Antonis Fotsis 13, Andrew Nicholas 7, Tsartsaris 2, Diamantidis 10, Pekovic 6, Sarunas Jasikevicius 10
CSKA: Smodis 9, Ramunas Siskauskas 13, J.R. Holden (185-G-76, college: Bucknell) 14, Trajan Langdon 13, Kaun 3, Khryapa 9, Zisis, Lorbek 5, Planinic 5, Morris

2008-09 All-Euroleague, MVP announced-May 2, 2009
The best Euroleague Basketball players of the 2008-09 season were honored at the Euroleague Basketball Awards Ceremony at the majestic o2 World in Berlin, on the same court where the 2009 Euroleague Basketball champion will be crowned on Sunday night. The court was set up in a matter of minutes to welcome the VIPs from the world basketball elite who are present at the Final Four. Each of the award winners received his trophy in the special ceremony. The event was highlighted by the selection of Regal FC Barcelona guard Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) as MVP for the season. Navarro, previously an All-Euroleague first team selection in 2006 and 2007, received his first Euroleague MVP trophy. In addition to Navarro, the All-Euroleague First Team also included point guard Terrell McIntyre (175-G-77) of Montepaschi Siena (ITA), 2009 Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy winner Igor Rakocevic (191-G-78) of Tau Ceramica Vitoria (ESP) at shooting guard/small forward and at power forward/center, Giannis Bourousis (212-C-83) of Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (GRE) and Nikola Pekovic (210-C-86) of Panathinaikos Athens (GRE). Rakocevic, Pekovic and Bourousis made it to the All-Euroleague first team for the first team in their career. Rakocevic and Pekovic had previously been All-Euroleague second team selections in 2007 and 2008, respectively. McIntyre is the only repeat selection on the first team. All the honorees received their awards from Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu.

All-Euroleague 1st Team 2008-09
NavarroNavarro
Navarro
RakocevicRakocevic
Rakocevic
McIntyreMcIntyre
McIntyre
BourousisBourousis
Bourousis
PekovicPekovic
Pekovic

1st Team
Terrell McIntyre (175-G-77) of Montepaschi Siena (ITA)
Juan Carlos Navarro of Regal FC Barcelona (ESP)
Igor Rakocevic (191-G-78) of Tau Ceramica Vitoria (ESP)
Giannis Bourousis (212-C-83) of Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (GRE)
Nikola Pekovic (210-C-86) of Panathinaikos Athens (GRE)

All-Euroleague 2nd Team 2008-09
PapaloukasPapaloukas
Papaloukas
SpanoulisSpanoulis
Spanoulis
SiskauskasSiskauskas
Siskauskas
LorbekLorbek
Lorbek
SplitterSplitter
Splitter

2nd Team
Thodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77) of Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (GRE)
Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) of Panathinaikos Athens (GRE)
Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78) of CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Erazem Lorbek (210-F/C-84) of CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85) of Tau Ceramica Vitoria (ESP)

The All-Euroleague Second Team features point guard Thodoros Papaloukas of Olympiacos, shooting guard Vassilis Spanouls from Panathinaikos, small forward Ramunas Siskauskas of CSKA and big men Tiago Splitter from Tau Ceramica and Erazem Lorbek of CSKA. Papaloukas and Siskauskas were Euroleague MVPs in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy was presented to Rakocevic. Novica Velickovic of Partizan, the Rising Star Trophy winner, was unable to attend the ceremony. Partizan General Manager Mladen Silobad took the trophy in his honor. Dimitris Diamantidis was handed the Best Defender Trophy for the fifth straight season. All awards were based on a combination of fan and media voting except the top scorer, which was based on the most average points scored during a minimum of games this season.

Courtesy of Euroleague

Barcelona at the third place-May 3, 2009
Barcelona entered the game with a bigger will and leaded with 14-4 and 19-8 later, taking advantage of its inside game through Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico) (7 points). The Reds achieved to reduce at three points, with a 11-3 serie, (19-22) after Thodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency: Interperformances) entered the game transimitting a concentration in his team's game. The first period ended at 19-26 for Barcelona.

This 4-0 Spanish serie extended to 9-0 two minutes after the beginning of the second period (19-31), after the consecutive mistakes of the Reds, of which Barca took advantage in its fast breaks. And then even more: 15-0 (19-37) while Olympiacos at this time (6:08 minutes) did not even score a single point. The difference reached even the 21 points for Barcelona (23-44) with 1:56 remaining, before Olympiacos making a 7-0 serie to reduce it to 14 (30-44). The half time's score, 30-46, was quite normal according to its whole picture; the Reds' players were obviously out of the field, very disappointed. The percentages were a proof: 10/33 while the Spanish ones were 16/28. And, it should also be mentioned that Olympiacos had Giannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) and Giorgos Printezis (206-F-85, agency: FCM) with 3 fouls.

The second half seemed to be different. At least at its six first minutes. It was the time that the Reds decided to play basketball; they reduced the difference at 8 points (46-54 and 48-56) due mainly to Nikola Vujcic (211-C-78, agency: Interperformances) (12 points) and Lynn Greer (186-G-79, college: Temple) (16 points). At that time, though, Jaka Lakovic (186-G-78) and Roger Grimau scored 3p shots and the difference at the end of the third period was shaped again at 15 points (58-73) although it was even bigger before (52-69).

The last period had therefore nothing interesting. Both teams tried some plays, having their interest at their domestic champioships. The final 79-95 was just a reflection that Barcelona wanted the third place more than Olympiacos; and it took it

Olympiacos: Thodoros Papaloukas 8, Pelekanos 3, Nikola Vujcic 12, Milosevic, Giannis Bourousis 17, Halperin , Lynn Greer 19, Vougioukas, Giorgos Printezis 4, Erceg 11, Teodosic 5,
Barcelona: Basile 3, Barret 4, Trias 5, Barton 6, Jaka Lakovic 14, Juan Carlos Navarro 14, David Andersen (212-C-80) 20, Vazquez 3, Daniel Santiago 10, Roger Grimau 5, Sada 4, Ilyasova 7
Vassilis Spanoulis was named the MVP of Euroleagues Final Four !-May 3, 2009
The 2008-09 Euroleague champ is Panathinaikos 73-71 CSKA in another stone thriller before a stunned crowd of 13,200 at o2 World in Berlin. A 23-point second-half lead by Panathinaikos dwindled to a single point several times as CSKA roared back, but Ramunas Siskauskas' game-winning three try rimmed out. Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) was named MVP of the Final.
Panathinaikos Athenss star guard Vassilis Spanoulis was selected Euroleague Basketballs 2009 Final Four MVP after leading the Greens to a 73-71 victory over defending champion CSKA Moscow in the title game on Sunday night at O2 Arena in Berlin. Spanoulis was selected in a vote of media after leading the winners with 31 total points in the Final Four, including 13 in the final. At his very first Final Four, Spanoulis showed no signs of nervousness, scoring his teams first basket and 7 points overall in the first quarter to keep the Greens in the game when CSKA started strong. He added another three late in the second period in helping his team to a 20-point halftime lead and scored his final basket with just less than three minutes to play, helping Panathinaikos stave off CSKAs final surge en route to lifting the Euroleague crown for the first time. It is worth mentioned the fact that this is Spanoulis first time participation in a Final Four! Spanoulis tried to play in NBA and made his dream true, after a not so godd season, Spanoulis return back to Greece and Panathinaikos.