By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Juan Carlos Navarro was hot and Barcelona was leading by 13 points in the start of the 3rd period (40-27) as every one started to assume that the Catalans will have their way. However, 13 is also the number Dimitris Diamantidis is wearing and that’s who will be remembered from this night.
With a three pointer 8 seconds before the end of the game, after Navarro had 1/2 free throws, Diamantidis nailed a step back three pointer and made the score 66-65. Barcelona had the ball and the chance to win the game, but former Panathinaikos player Saras Jasikevicius missed and the Greens prevailed. The series now is tied 1-1 and the next two games will be held next week in Athens, reminding every one the 2011 series which ended with the Greeks getting the Final Four qualification over Barcelona with 3-1 wins.
Can Barcelona retaliate? “It will be very difficult to win in Athens, we expect a very difficult atmosphere, but we will go there to win”, said Navarro. “We are tied, nothing more”, answered Diamantidis who is never good with words, but nobody should let him have the ball in the last seconds, as Barcelona did, without at least double teaming him.