Henry got the visitors going with back-to-back threes, but Panathinaikos found an appropriate answer from Papapetrou to tie the score at 8-8 after 4 minutes. Five points in a row by White granted the hosts a 13-8 lead that didn’t last for long. Fenerbahce put Guduric and De Colo on the floor and a 0-6 run capped by a dunk by Vesely forced a timeout by the Greens. Guduric dug it deeper, 13-17, with a corner three right after and, even though Perry and Nedovic showed up to reanimate the hosts, De Colo helped the guests close the first quarter with a 20-21 edge. 

Gallery

Both teams swapped baskets early after the break until Vesely and Booker took over in the paint to give the visitors a 51-57 edge midway through the third. The greens kept pushing, but each comeback attempt was quickly aborted. De Colo joined Vesely on offense to ignite a 0-7 run and keep a solid 56-64 advantage after 28 minutes. Panathinaikos didn’t say its last word, as an 8-0 boost fueled by Floyd tied the game again, 64-64, soon after. A corner three by Polonara allowed Fenerbahce to retain the lead, 64-67, entering the last quarter.

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens v Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul - Round 2 - Highlights

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens enjoyed an unforgettable night when it defeated visiting Fenerbahce BEKO Istanbul 91-87 at OAKA on Thursday night. The hosts were 5 points down with just 40 seconds ’ to go, but they kept believing and drew 2 unsportsmanlike fouls in a row that sparked a late 9-0 run from the free-throw line that turned the game upside down. Panathinaikos improved to 1-1, the same record as Fenerbahce. Nemanja Nedovic scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to lead the greens with 20. Ioannis Papapetrou followed with 14 points, 5 boards and 4 assists and Daryl Macon Jr. and Okaro White added 14 and 12 points, respectively. Jan Vesely registered a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Nando de Colo poured in 16 points in as many minutes. Devin Booker and Pierria Henry followed them with 14 and 12 in losing effort.

Nedovic rescues Greens in incredible win, 91-87

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2021-10-07T18:00:00.000Z)

### XAVI PASCUAL, ZENIT ST PETERSBURG HEAD COACH

"After winning in Kazan, we are going to play again away in Kaunas with supporters, in a good atmosphere. That's one of the most beautiful arenas in the competition. Their supporters are very nice, so it’s always a pleasure to play there. From our side, we’ll try to keep our way — we were the only team that won on the road in the first round. We’ll try to repeat it, so we have to play a great game defensively and offensively, control the rhythm, control the turnovers and rebounds, I think the team is working well despite the fact that last game against Astana we didn’t approach the game in a correct way. The team is working hard and I’m sure tomorrow we’ll be in the game. If we play in the right way, we’ll have possibilities to win."

### ANDREY ZUBKOV, ZENIT ST PETERSBURG FORWARD

"The team has refreshed and strengthened with new talents, but the key players from last year are still there. Lithuania, Zalgiris, there will be fans. The game will not be the same as it was last year when we played in silence. In Lithuania, they know how to root for the team. We must rehabilitate from the last home game, each of us must understand what we want and why we are going there. I think we all figured it out, we will try to play our best game."

This is what the Zenit St Petersburg protagonists of the game had to say before the game.

Xavi Pascual, Zenit: "That's one of the most beautiful arenas in the competition"

Zalgiris Kaunas v Zenit St Petersburg (2021-10-07T17:00:00.000Z)

### MARTIN SCHILLER, ZALGIRIS KAUNAS HEAD COACH

"Zenit is obviously a very stacked team despite not having Shabazz Napier with them. I think they are not a dark horse anymore. I think they are a team that is competing for the playoffs and more. In my eyes, the frontcourt is extremely physical with the two fives and Mickey at the four, there’s a lot of physicality. There’s a lot of shooting on the team, especially with Baron and Frankamp. When they have Shabazz back, it will be a high-quality team in this league, but even without him, they are a really tough team. I am looking forward to the challenge."

### EDGARAS ULANOVAS, ZALGIRIS KAUNAS FORWARD

"Zenit is a very deep team. They have great new additions in Conner Frankamp and Jordan Mickey, who can stretch the floor and play in multiple positions. Another great thing about them is having a coach who stayed in the team and knows the ropes. It is well organized team, they are very disciplined, and it is tough to play against teams like this. Another thing I want to say is that we are very excited to have our fans back. It is a feeling which was missed for most of us and to have them in Zalgirio Arena will be a very emotional moment for our team."

This is what the Zalgiris Kaunas protagonists of the game had to say before the game.

Martin Schiller, Zalgiris: "I think they are not a dark horse anymore."

Keys to victory: Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Zenit St Petersburg

Zalgiris struggled to score in the paint against ASVEL, making just 17-of-37 shots (45.9%) inside the arc. On the other hand, ASVEL had really good shooting percentages against the Lithuanian champs (60.0% 2FG, 47.8% 3FG), so reaching out to defend shots and improving its defense should be two big keys for Coach Martin Schiller's squad. Zalgiris had 12 turnovers but ASVEL had 10 steals, which means that most of its mistakes went straight into their opponents' hands. In that sense, Mantas Kalnietis, Mudiay and Strelnieks should have a critical role in this game, organizing Zalgiris's offense and minimizing mistakes. Getting Lauvergne and Josh Nebo involved around the basket should be important, too.

In Kazan, Zenit led by 12 points with over 3 minutes left and UNICS managed to keep its chances alive until the final seconds. Zenit committed 18 turnovers and struggled from beyond the three-point line (8-of-29, 27.6% 3FG). Without injured playmaker Shabazz Napier, Conner Frankamp and Dmitry Kulagin should once again share the point guard duties. Zenit only had 11 assists against UNICS, so getting its best scorers (Baron, Loyd) and strongest finishers (Jordan Mickey, Alex Poythress) involved should be another key to remain undefeated.

Zalgiris struggled to score in the paint against ASVEL, making just 17-of-37 shots (45.9%) inside the arc. 

Zenit features two players who played for Zalgiris in the past: Arturas Gudaitis and Mindaugas Kuzminskas. 

Marquee matchup: Joffrey Lauvergne vs. Arturas Gudaitis

Zenit features two players who played for Zalgiris in the past: Arturas Gudaitis and Mindaugas Kuzminskas. Gudaitis played 27 EuroLeague games for the Lithuanian powerhouse from 2014 to 2015. He is a great finisher around the rim, who uses his body with great effectiveness and has good hands to execute in the paint. Gudaitis is also a very good rebounder, especially on the defensive end, and his battle against Joffrey Lauvergne should be one of the biggest keys to this game.

Lauvergne struggled against bigger opponents in Round 1, but should bounce back against another mobile, dynamic center like Gudaitis. Lauvergne has great post moves, a really high basketball IQ and is also an excellent rebounder with great timing for tip-ins and alley-oops. Even though both teams have other options around the baskets, the matchup between these two experienced big men should be one to follow closely.

Zalgiris Kaunas (0-1) comes off a 12-point road loss in Round 1 and hopes to bounce back in front of its diehard fans at the magnificent Zalgirio Arena. Janis Strelnieks (21) was its top scorer against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 1, followed by Emmanuel Mudiay (12), Niels Giffey (8) and Lukas Lekavicius (8). Zenit St Petersburg held on for a 69-70 road victory against UNICS Kazan in Round 1. It was the only EuroLeague team to win on the road in the competition's opening round. Conner Frankamp (18) led Zenit in scoring and Billy Baron (17) and Jordan Loyd (10) also scored in double digits. Zenit is undefeated against Zalgiris in EuroLeague action - four wins in as many games. Last season, Zenit downed Zalgiris 75-83 in Kaunas behind 20 points from Austin Hollins and went on to defeat the Lithuanian powerhouse 77-65 in St Petersburg with 15 points each from Mateusz Ponitka and Arturas Gudaitis.



Zalgiris Kaunas and Zenit St Petersburg hit it off at the Lithuanian city.

The Take: Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Zenit St Petersburg

This is what the Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul protagonists of the game had to say before the game.

Sasa Djordjevic: "We will try to put our game on the floor and try to avoid their transition game"

### SASA DJORDJEVIC, FENERBAHCE BEKO ISTANBUL HEAD COACH

"It will be a tough road trip. Some of our players come from injuries, like Guduric and Barthel. They will be on the roster, and we will try to put our game on the floor and try to avoid their transition game. They are good with the ball in their hands, and their other strength are offensive rebounds. They have experienced players who know how to show their best game at this level. We must be ready to respond to the atmosphere by putting in 40 minutes of intense and smart basketball."


### ACHILLE POLONARA, FENERBAHCE BEKO ISTANBUL CENTER

"We will face a tough team, athletic. They will play with a lot of fans and it will be tough. But we go there to win, because road wins are very important. We have to limit our turnovers and also their fastbreak because of their athleticism. They are good on offensive rebounds, so we will have to play a perfect game in order to win."


This is what the Panathinaikos OPAP Athens protagonists of the game had to say before the game.

Dmitris Priftis:  "The most important thing for us is to make the right decisions"

### DIMITRIS PRIFTIS, HEAD COACH PANATHINAIKOS OPAP ATHENS

"We had a very bad week and we have to find a way to react. We need to show more stability, because we have a lot of ups and downs in our performance, and this is our most important problem. Against Fenerbahce, the most important thing for us is to make the right decisions in the game and to be effective in long shots. Panathinaikos fans are positive, optimistic and supportive towards the team. Their presence on the stands is a big advantage for Panathinaikos."


### OKARO WHITE, PANATHINAIKOS OPAP ATHENS FORWARD

"We had a very difficult start in both the Euroleague and the Greek League. We must move forward. Fenerbahce is a tough and experienced team but we have to find a way to deal with it. We have to see how we can improve, work hard and then see who our opponent is."


Panathinaikos OPAP Athens and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul each have players eager to bounce back in Round 2 and that should make this game even more attractive.

Keys to victory: Panathinaikos OPAP Athens vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul each have players eager to bounce back in Round 2 and that should make this game even more attractive. In Monaco, Kendrick Perry and Nedovic were held scoreless, combining 17 missed shots and a PIR of -19. Both Nedovic and Perry are experienced and resilient players who know how to overcome the pressure of a poor performance. Fenerbahce's Nando De Colo had 7 points, 4 turnovers and a PIR of 5 against Zvezda, but he has the talent, know-how and leadership to do much better, especially in a tough road game like this one.

Panathinaikos powered the offensive glass well in Monaco for 17 boards and committed just 8 turnovers, but must improve its shot selection to challenge in this game. The Greens made 23 of 50 shots inside the arc (46.0%) and 4 of 20 from downtown (20.0%). Preventing Pierria Henry from speeding up the game tempo should be a priority for Panathinaikos, as well as not allowing Fenerbahce to connect with Jan Vesely and Devin Booker, who can play above the rim and also hit outside shots. Fenerbahce must run its offense through De Colo and Vesely, expecting Achille Polonara and DyShawn Pierre to find advantages at the forward spots. Fenerbahce was outrebounded 32-42 in Round 1, allowing 15 offensive boards. It must box out against a great rebounding team like the Greens and it is up to the whole team to do so.