Barca regain feeling in reunion of Hernangomez brothers

BARCELONA, November 2 (EFE) – For Barca’s Willy Hernangomez, Barca will look to end their two-game losing streak this Friday against a newer side Panathinaikos. It will be an exciting game as they compete for the league title. The opponent for the first time in the Euroleague was his brother Juancho, who is now in the ranks of the Greek team.

The Barcelona center forward admitted in an interview with the Catalan club’s media: “This will be the most special game of the season and I want to win this game.” He stressed that once “the ball is in the air, we will be competitors” , it’s very important for us. “To get this win in front of the fans. “

Coach Roger Grimaud assured during Thursday’s pregame press conference that there was a “90 percent” chance that point guard Nico Laprovittola would miss his third straight game due to left adductor discomfort. Missed three games.

Barca will be looking to end a seven-game winning streak in all competitions after losing two games last week in the Europa League against Real Madrid (65-64) and the Endesa League against Valencia Net (71-68). Contest.

The Catalans are currently in second place (4-1) with Bologna, Vitus Segafredo, Fenerbahce Beko and Valencia after suffering their first defeat of the season in Europe’s top competition. The baskets are tied, while Panathinaikos, ranked 10th (2-3), comes from a final-day win over Baskonia (95-81).

The Greek team, which finished second from last in the regular league last year, completely refreshed its roster and changed its coach this summer, aiming to compete in the EuroLeague again and make the playoffs for the last time in the 2019-20 season. Has not reached the Final Four since 2012.

The project, led by two-time continental champion Ergin Ataman, who heads Anadolu Efes in 2021 and 2022, is currently in the assembly phase but counts the last three games of all competitions as wins. The latest was Monday’s Greek League match against Olympiacos (54-66).

However, Panathinaikos will be without point guard Kostas Sloukas (11.2 points, 5 assists) due to gastroenteritis, while Luca Verdoza (11.2 points, 5 assists) at the same position Vildoza) is out with tendonitis (8.2 points, 3 assists). Achilles tendon.

This will mean a limited generation of play for Panathinaikos, who will be entrusted to Grian Grant (8.4 points, 3 assists) and Dimitris Mohamed since his debut last season. Latis, with Marius Grigonis (10.6 points) and Kyle Guy serving as assistant coaches. New NBA signing Kendrick Nunn’s schedule won’t be confirmed until next week.

Likewise, while the Greek team cannot count on injured center Papapetrou, Barcelona must pay special attention to power forward Konstantinos Mitoglou, who has averaged 21.5 points and 9 rebounds in the past two games, and second Rebounding leader Mathias Lessort. Ranked second in the EuroLeague (7.6) and is Greece’s second top scorer in the competition (16).Effie

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