Like he came from another… planet, neurotic and irritatingly out of place. Panathinaikos from -15 in the first half (27-42) in the second half turned into a team of the final fourth level and was led by “alien” Paris Lee both in defense and attack), achieved a major upset victory over Zalgiris from 89-65 in a half-empty OAKA!

In 7 minutes of the 3rd period, the Greens scored as many points (27) as they did in the first half and with a total of 21 points by the 30th minute, they were ahead 64-58. The difference reached +20 in the 35th minute and closed at +24, with an amazing +37 in 16 minutes and 18 year old Samadurov making his European debut! Quarters: 19-24, 27-42, 64-58, 89-65.

PANATINAIKOS: P. Kalaitsakis, Walters 7, Lee 24 (4/6 doubles, 5/6 triples, 1/2 shots, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 3 rebounds, 2 errors in 29:14), Papagiannis 12 94/ 4 doubles, 5 rebounds), Williams 5 (1), G. Kalaitsakis 4 (1), Bacon 13 (2/6 doubles, 1/5 triples, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), Ponitka 13 (4/4 doubles, 1/1 triples, 2/2 frames), Grigonis 4, Gudaitis 7.

Zalgiris: Gentraitis, Lekavicius 9 (1 treble, 1 assist, 4 assists), Hayes 4 (7 rebounds), Schmitz 11 (1 treble, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Birutis 9 (3/3 doubles, 3/3 shots), Lukosiunas 3 (1), Brazdeikis 8, Polonara 2 (6 rebounds), Dimsha 8 (2), Butkevicius 4, Ulanovas 7.

The rest of yesterday’s results: Real Madrid – Barcelona 91-86 p. (73-73, etc.), Alba – Valencia 88-94, Villeurbanne – Fenerbahce, Monaco – Armani 101-88.

Tonight (21.30) the baton passes to Olympiacos, who, with a win over Maccabi in a packed SEF after 21 games, will still be at the top of the Euroleague. “We don’t worry about first place to stay focused against a dangerous team,” Kostas Sloukas stressed, while Giorgos Bartzokas agreed that Olympiakos is used to always playing under a lot of pressure.

The rest of today’s schedule of the 21st round: 20.00 Red Star – Partizan, 21.30 Baskonia – Efes, 21.45 Bayern – Virtus.