What would be CSKA role at Pao’s party?

There were no Greek journalists in the airport where CSKA landed yesterday. The crew from one of the TV channels awaited for the team in the hotel to make interviews with Ettore Messina and Theodoros Papaloukas. Other mass media were more concerned about Pao these days. The Derby daily made a front page title: ‘Welcome to the party!’, meaning that the game would become a real triumph of the game in Pao style, including the supporters that were invited to visit the game not only by the club managers but also by the head coach Zeljko Obradovic. Another edition Athlitiki also writes more about the fans quoting Obradovic: ‘Do you support us? Prove it!’. The daily says the words are the kind of the glove thrown to the supporters. The only daily that is more concerned about the game itself is Sportime. According to their information Pao center Patrick Femerling would not participate in the match because of the stomach ache.

As for the other information most of the newspapers published the quotes of Obradovic and Lakovic from the web site Euroleague.net about CSKA defense as the strong point and the goal of having the right rhythm of the game. Also Obradovic expressed an opinion about the new role of J.R.Holden. According to Pao coach the guard has more freedom this season.

The dailies also made some stats report about the match-ups between two teams. Pao and CSKA played against each other 16 times. 9 games finished in the Army club favor, 7 times Pao was the winner. As for the most important games. Panathinaikos won both match ups in the Final Fours – in 1996 and last season.