Barça 80–72 Panathinaikos: Back to winning ways

The FC Barcelona basketball side claimed an important win over Greek side Panathinaikos in the Palau Blaugrana by 80-72 in the Euroleague. The victory for Roger Grimau's team helps erase memories of recent defeats against Real Madrid and Valencia to record a fifth win in six matches in Europe. 

Early control 

Roger Grimau's team started the game completely focused and soon moved into a six point lead in the first quarter. Jan Vesely contributed five points in the opening period but a fightback from the Greeks cut Barça's lead to just one point at 21-20 at the start of the second quarter. 

The Greek side were missing important names such as Papapetrou, Vildozas and Sloukas. Before half time Barça took control of the contest and at one point the home side boasted a 13 point lead. That advantage came down slightly as the sides went in at half time with Barça leading 45-33. 

The second half continued in the same vein with a three pointer from Satoransky putting Barça 20 points ahead at 61-41. Parker led from the front, eventually top scoring with 17 points as the home side led 71-47 going into the final quarter. 

With such a big advantage it was inevitable that Barça took their foot off the gas a little in the final quarter but Roger Grimau's side never looked in danger as they ran out 81-72 winners at the buzzer. 

MATCH STATS

Barça: 80

Panathinaikos: 72

Barça: Tomas Satoransky (10), Nikola Kalinic (10), Alex Abrines (2), Oscar Da Silva(2) , Jan Vesely (9) -starting five- Oriol Paulí (12), Darío Brizuela (8), Willy Hernangómez (5), Jabari Parker (17), Joel Parra (2), James Nnaji (3), Dame Sarr (0).

Panathinaikos: Jerian Grant (15), Kyle Guy (5), Juancho Hernangómez (0), Konstantinos Mitoglou (6), Mathias Lessort (9) -starting five- Panagiotis Kalaitzakis (5), Dimitris Moraitis (5), Aleksander Balcerowski (12), Marius Grigonis (11), Eleftherios Mantzoukas (0).