CSKA so close yet so far
Published: 04 May, 2009, 11:25
AFP Photo / John Macdougall
TAGS: Sport, Basketball, European Championships
Panathinaikos have barely survived a valiant comeback by defending champions CSKA Moscow to win 73-71 and collect their fifth Euroleague title.
The Greek side led by an astonishing 23 points with six minutes to go in the third quarter but Moscow came around to within one point twice in the final 26 seconds. During their drive CSKA held Panathinaikos to just eight points in the third quarter, which is Euroleague’s Final Four record.
The deeds in defense didn’t help CSKA in the end. Ramunas Siskauskas missed a jump shot at the buzzer that would have clinched the game.
Just like two years ago, a single basket separated the two at the end of the showdown in Berlin, meaning history has repeated itself. With just a narrow 73-71 margin Panathinaikos took the title of European champions once more.
PAO’s Vassilis Spanoulis was named MVP of the Final Four after scoring 13 points for the new champions.
Antonis Fotsis added 13 points and Diamantidis and Jasikevicius scored ten apiece for Panathinaikos, whose fifth Euroleague crown means they are now tied with Varese and Maccabi Tel Aviv on the all-time list.
It is also the seventh Final Four success for head coach Zeljko Obradovic, who has racked up the most wins in Euroleague history.
Earlier, Barcelona clinched third spot by beating Olympiacos 95-79 in the bronze medal final.
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