Panathinaikos will take on Crvena Zvezda with a depleted roster / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Hellenic Basketball Federation Credit Hellenic Basketball Federation

Nemanja Nedovic

MIN:21PTS:11.83 (51.64%)REB:2As:2.78ST:0.61BL:0TO:1.94GM:18ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

Injury problems for Panathinaikos OPAP Athens continue ahead of the EuroLeague Round 27 contest with Crvena Zvezda at OAKA on Friday night.The Greens announced that after a molecular test was carried out, a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.Apart from center Giorgos Papagiannis, who yesterday joined the Greek national team's training camp for the game against Turkey on Friday (17:00 CET), two more players were not at coach Dimitris Priftis's disposal. Nemanja Nedovic underwent some scheduled tests and did not take part in Thursday's training session, while Okaro White was also absent after experiencing an ankle discomfort. Both are doubtful, and their participation in the coming game will be decided a few hours before tip-off.Ioannis Papapetrou is still recovering from the operation he underwent to cure sinusitis, while Stefan Jovic is also out with an adductor strain.Dimitris Priftis and Jeremy Evans represented Panathinaikos in the pre-game press conference. The Greek tactician referred to the fact that the team missed out on its first goal of the season, the Greek Cup."The coach needs to get closer with his players, keep working alongside them. The fact that there are games non-stop does not allow for much thinking. On the other hand, we have several issues to deal with, and the succession of games does not help us".

Asked about the absences ahead of tomorrow's game, he pointed out that the three days following the final were not easy.

"We are practicing with 8 guys. White was absent from yesterday's practice. I don't know how we will appear tomorrow," Priftis continued.Regarding the match against Zvezda, Priftis said: "I expect a tough game, it will be a game, with a lot of contact and great intensity. We must avoid mistakes, go into a set game, control the rhythm, avoid mistakes that will give easy baskets to the opponent."On his part, Jeremy Evans was asked about the loss of the Greek Cup."We really wanted to get the Cup, but we didn't make it," the American big man said. "We made some mistakes which we paid dearly for and should not repeat. We fought hard in the final, but they also wanted it very much."Regarding the Panathinaikos's EuroLeague run, Evans thinks that the Greens' position does not represent the club.

"We will continue to fight until the end of the regular season in order to improve our position. We're not giving up. We have to show character. We want to keep fighting and get as many wins as we can."Crvena Zvezda annihilated PAO 81-48 in the first game, forcing them to one of their heaviest defeat ever. Evans doesn't conceal that tomorrow's game presents an opportunity for his side to get some payback."That game is still in the back of our minds. What happened in Belgrade was embarrassing for us," he admitted. "We want to take advantage of our home court and take the win."

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.