The “yellow submarine” surprised the Pana. Boiling as the players entered, Athens OAKA fell silent after Josh Nebo’s two converted throws to ensure Maccabi Tel Aviv’s comeback against Panathinaikos (91-87) in match 1 of the quarter-finals. -Euroleague final. An unexpected return from the nation club in the wake of man of the match Bonzie Colson: 18 points (3 of 4 three-pointers) and 1 interception. However, the Israelis were behind by 12 points in the 3rd quarter.
A lead which emerged in the second quarter in a boiling OAKA. The public exulted in Luca Vildoza’s 3 out of 3 from afar and Mathias Lessort’s domination in the paint: 22 points at 9 out of 11 on shots for the Frenchman. The Greeks were able to leave with an 8-point lead after returning from the locker room, but the “yellow submarine” began its recovery in the last quarter.
Wade Baldwin IV sparked the revolt by scoring the first 5 points for his team. Maccabi comes back to level with Pana (73-73), but the star of the nation club was forced to leave the floor limping. The American, Maccabi’s top scorer in the regular season, had to let his partners complete the comeback.
Sergio Llull in history
More discreet, Kendrick Nunn was unable to take on the savior costume. A shot on the board from Lorenzo Brown, less than a minute from time, followed by two shots from Josh Nebo, after a crucial loss of the ball from Kostas Sloukas, sealed the victory for the visitors. Winners of the play-off match against Baskonia a week ago (113-85), the Israelis lead 1-0 before match 2 which will take place Thursday in Greece.
The scenario was very different in Spain between Real Madrid and Baskonia Vitoria (90-74). At home, the Merengues were never put in danger by the visitors. After a one-sided first quarter – 26-17 for Real -, the title holders turned to allow Sergio Llull to score 2 winning shots and become the record holder for three-point shots in the Euroleague ahead of his compatriot Juan Carlos Navarro with 624 shots from distance.
A walk in the park for the partners of Vincent Poirier (10 points and 7 rebounds) and Guerschon Yabusele (7 pts and 7 rebounds), who will calmly approach match 2, Thursday April 25.
