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One of the last chances for PAOK

Things aren't exactly ideal for Besiktas either, they compromised their chances for the second round with three back-to-back defeats, but they're still in a better situation than the Greek team who'd only be left with theoretical chances in case of a new defeat

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In a dull and quiet atmosphere, Besiktas lost the big Istanbul derby to Fenerbahce. They were playing at home, but there were only about 50 fans on the stands. We didn't find any news about any kind of suspension or them having to play with no fans to support them, but that was obviously it. How else to explain that a match like this one would have so few people in the audience?

In the sad atmosphere, Besiktas were sad to watch. They did threaten their city rival occasionally, but they were catching up the whole time. Even when they got to -5 in the third quarter (61-56), Bogdanović buried them. He created the double-digit advantage for Fener, and Besiktas didn't go back under 10 points difference again.

- We just couldn't resist well enough. We couldn't force our game concept. The defense was pretty soft. We have to recover as soon as possible to fulfill our goals - the coach Yagizer Ulug says.

The euphoria that was born when Ulug came to coach the team is completely gone now. The new coach started his time with four back-to-back wins, but then he lost five of the last six. They only beat Efes at home, and paid for that win with their best player Lampe getting injured. They weren't able to beat anyone since.

Three back-to-back defeats at the European level are now making them worried about going through, so this match is really important. A new defeat would really complicate the draw, which isn't that bad right now - an away match against Szolnok, Zenit at home. But, with the game they're playing, it's hard to get their hopes up. The Arenasport commentator was funny about it: 

- Besiktas created perfect balance in the defensive. They're not defending the back shots, they're not defending the paint...

The defense has been Besiktas' Achilles tendon this season, with few exceptions. It wasn't brilliant against PAOK in the first match, but the offense covered for the fact. Wolters scored 27, Lampe was brilliant with 18+15. Lampe worked separately from the rest of the team these last few days, and Atsur, Hamilton and Seeley got spared on Monday. Seeley wasn't at the practice yesterday either, so he's probably questionable, and Lampe shouldn't play yet.

PAOK compromised a lot by losing to Szolnoki in Hungary. They were leading by 17 by the beginning of the last quarter, but let Szolnoki turn the result around. They didn't have a chance against Zenit last week. They played a good first quarter (29-19), but Zenit got even with 31-15 in the second, and kept increasing the difference till the end.

The home weekend brought a new win, the third in a row. Arkadikos had 34-29 after the first part, but PAOK reacted forcefully after the half-time break, and solved any dilemma with 27-5 in the third quarter. They only conceded 20 points in the second half-time, but none of them scored over 12 points, which is how many Tepić and Marković had.

- We scored two 3s at the beginning and boosted our confidence quickly, but we tightened the defense in the rest, had some steals and scored easy points. I wish we always play like we did in the third quarter - the coach Markopoulos said.

PAOK's chances are pretty slim in the Eurocup. Their current score is 2-5, just like Lietuvos. Besiktas and Szolniki have one win more. They're playing a very important away match in Turkey today, and PAOK will also play away against Lietuvos by the end of this round, as well as hosting Saratov. The fact that they lost to Szolnoki by 20 in the first game is definitely not working in their favor. Losing this match would probably end all their dreams: 

- We have to be focused on our plan, pay special attention to rebounds and the defense, try to control the rhythm and make the right offensive decisions - the coach Markopoulos said.