A2 2007-2008

[Trifilli]

The season is underway for three weeks in the A2 now, and I thought that it'd be nicer to have one thread for the league this year.

Here are the results of day 3:

AGE Chalkidas - Ionikos Lamias 96:74
Chalkida: Tomaras 20, Kantartzis 18
Lamia: Paschalis 25, Kamberidis 19

Panorama - AS Trikala 2000 49:54
Panorama: Panaras 15, Kakaroudis 10
Trikala: Kaklamanos 11, Vardianos 10, Charismidis 10

Peristeri - Sporting 91:58
Peristeri: Bucci 20, Margaritis 10, Amato 10
Sporting: Fotiou 16, Perakis 14

Xanthi - Apollon Patron 79:69
Xanthi: Moulakis 23, Loupos 19
Patras: Kadosh 19, Papadopoulos 11

Ilysiakos - Iraklis 78:79
Ilysiakos: Koutroulias 23, Papanikolaou 15
Iraklis: Simeonidis 24, Traina 21

AO P. Falirou - Dafni 63:60
P. Faliro: Koronidis 18, Efthimiou 16, Rodostoglou 16
Dafni: Nikitakis 15, Petrodimopoulos 11

MENT - Panerythraikos 75:50
MENT: Spanoulis 22, Despos 15
Panerythraikos: Maglos 10, Georgaros 9, Manojlovic 9

Pagrati - ICBS 77:61
Pagrati: Liakopoulos 17, Kourtis 11
ICBS: Maslarinos 12, Kounas 11

The Standings after Day 3:

1. Pagrati 3-0
2. Iraklis 3-0
3. Xanthi 2-1
4. AS Trikala 2000 2-1
5. AO P. Falirou 2-1
6. Sporting 2-1
7. Panorama 2-1
8. Dafni 2-1
9. AGE Chalkidas 1-2
10. Ionikos Lamias 1-2
11. ICBS 1-2
12. Peristeri 1-2
13. MENT 1-2
14. Apollon Patron 1-2
15. Ilysiakos 0-3
16. Panerythraikos 0-3

So far I expected Peristeri and maybe also MENT to start better into the league. Ionikos Lamias addes some known names, but failed to prove on court yet, that they're one of the favs to go to the A1. Patras didn't start well either, it remains to be seen if they can recover - after all those years in the A1 they shouldn't fall lower. Pagrati is a surprise for me so far, I didn't expect the newcomer to do so well. Iraklis with players like Traina, Simeonidis or Totsios is for sure one of the favs for the A1 - question there is though whether they're healthy financially again.

Top5 Scorers after Day 3:

1. Dimitris Fotiou (Sporting) 21.7ppg
2. Dimitris Spanoulis (MENT) 20.3ppg
3. Giorgos Loupos (Xanthi) 19.7ppg
4. Elias Tomaras (AGE Chalkidas) 18.7ppg
5. Vassilis Moulakis (Xanthi) 18.3ppg
- Nikos Kaklamanos (AS Trikala 2000) 18.3ppg

Top5 Rebounders after Day 3:

1. Michalis Perakis (Sporting) 11.7rpg
2. Apostolos Koutroulias (Ilysiakos) 9.7rpg
3. Dimitris Despos (MENT) 9rpg
4. Kostas Machairas (Pagrati) 8.7rpg
5. Ivan Scara (Xanthi) 7.7rpg

Top5 for Assists after Day 3:

1. Filippos Moschovitis (Peristeri) 6.7apg
2. Nikos Liakopoulos (Pagrati) 6apg
3. Vassilis Moulakis (Xanthi) 4apg
- Fotis Vassilopoulos (AGE Chalkidas) 4apg
5. Nikos Katsares (AS Trikala 2000) 3.7apg
- Athanassios Karydas (MENT) 3.7apg

[Trifilli]

A2 Day 5:

AGE Chalkidas - Sporting 87:75
Chalkida: Tomaras 29, Vassilopoulos 16
Sporting: Fotiou 28, Moutran 14

Panorama - Apollon Patron 70:56
Panorama: Panaras 19, Kakaroudis 13
Patras: Athanassiadis 12, Georgitsis 11

Peristeri - Iraklis 90:79
Peristeri: Bucci 18, Moschovitis 15
Iraklis: Traina 22, Totsios 19

Xanthi - Dafni 77:69
Xanthi: Moulakis 20, Kefalas 14
Dafni: Petrodimopoulos 17, Sourlis 15

Ilysiakos - Panerythraikos 93:95
Ilysiakos: Kahrimanovic 17, Tsarouchas 16, Papanikolaou 16
Panerythraikos: Hopson 19, Grimbaviotis 16

AO P. Falirou - MENT 79:76
P. Faliro: Rodostoglou 22, Aposkitis 19
MENT: Spanoulis 20, Bursic 15

Pagrati - Ionikos Lamias 73:74
Pagrati: Liakopoulos 28, Machairas 17
Lamia: Kekelis 21, Paschalis 16

ICBS - Trikala 60:71
ICBS: Maslarinos 20, Kadic 9, Anagnostopoulos 9
Trikala: Bogdanos 22, Kaklamanos 20

The Standings after Day 5:

1. Trikala 4-1
2. Panorama 4-1
3. Iraklis 4-1
4. Ionikos Lamias 3-2
5. Xanthi 3-2
6. AO P. Falirou 3-2
7. Dafni 3-2
8. Peristeri 3-2
9. Pagrati 3-2
10. MENT 2-3
11. AGE Chalkidas 2-3
12. Panerythraikos 2-3
13. Sporting 2-3
14. ICBS 1-4
15. Apollon Patron 1-4
16. Ilysiakos 0-5

Top5 Scorers after Day 5:

1. Dimos Fotiou (Sporting) 20.8ppg
2. Dimitris Spanoulis (MENT) 20.4ppg
3. Nikos Kaklamanos (Trikala) 19.4ppg
4. Brad Traina (Iraklis) 18.8ppg
5. Nikos Liakopoulos (Pagrati) 18.4ppg

Top5 Rebounders after Day 5:

1. Michalis Perakis (Sporting) 8.8rpg
2. Apostolos Koutroulias (Ilysiakos) 8.2rpg
3. Dimitris Despos (MENT) 8rpg
4. Christos Petrodimopoulos (Dafni) 7.8rpg
5. Kostas Machairas (Pagrati) 7.6rpg

Top 5 Passers afer Day 5:

1. Filippos Moschovitis (Peristeri) 6.8apg
2. Nikos Liakopoulos (Pagrati) 5.4apg
3. Athanassios Karydas (MENT) 4.8apg
4. Dimitris Georgaros (Panerythraikos) 4.2apg
5. Fotis Vassilopoulos (AGE Chalkidas) 3.8apg

[Turkish Airlines Euroleague]

Apollon Patras is so dissapointing these days. I hope we will improve... :(

[Trifilli]

Some update on the A2 Season, the results and standings for/after day 9:

Results:

AGE Chalkidas - Panerythraikos 76:81
Panorama - MENT 81:66
Peristeri - P. Faliro 72:50
Xanthi - Ilysiakos 92:88
Pagrati - Sporting 74:69
ICBS - Dafni 67:69
Ionikos Lamias - Iraklis 80:68
AS Trikala - Apollon Patron 67:63

Standings:

1. AS Trikala 7-2
2. Panorama 7-2
3. Ionikos Lamias 6-3
4. Pagrati 6-3
5. Dafni 6-3
6. MENT 5-4
7. Panerythraikos 5-4
8. Peristeri 5-4
9. Xanthi 5-4
10. ICBS 4-5
11. AGE Chalkidas 4-5
12. Iraklis 4-5
13. P. Faliro 3-6
14. Sporting 2-7
15. Ilysiakos 2-7
16. Apollon Patron 1-8

[T.W.Is.M.]

Some update on the A2 Season, the results and standings for/after day 9:

Results:

AGE Chalkidas - Panerythraikos 76:81
Panorama - MENT 81:66
Peristeri - P. Faliro 72:50
Xanthi - Ilysiakos 92:88
Pagrati - Sporting 74:69
ICBS - Dafni 67:69
Ionikos Lamias - Iraklis 80:68
AS Trikala - Apollon Patron 67:63

Standings:

1. AS Trikala 7-2
2. Panorama 7-2
3. Ionikos Lamias 6-3
4. Pagrati 6-3
5. Dafni 6-3
6. MENT 5-4
7. Panerythraikos 5-4
8. Peristeri 5-4
9. Xanthi 5-4
10. ICBS 4-5
11. AGE Chalkidas 4-5
12. Iraklis 4-5
13. P. Faliro 3-6
14. Sporting 2-7
15. Ilysiakos 2-7
16. Apollon Patron 1-8

Iraklis started with 4-0. Then the first loss came, Brad Traina left the team 4 personal reasons and they have 5 straight defeats now. This weekend their coach resigned too.

[Trifilli]

Iraklis started with 4-0. Then the first loss came, Brad Traina left the team 4 personal reasons and they have 5 straight defeats now. This weekend their coach resigned too.

Interestingly Iraklis won the next 3 games (Trikala, Sporting, Apollon), and now came back again after two losses vs. Pagrati and Dafni with a win against Panerythraikos. Some very unstable performances by the team from Saloniki.

Day 15:

AGE Chalkidas - Panorama 66:82
AO Pagrati - Dafni 48:52
ICBS - Peristeri 61:69
Ionikos Lamias - Xanthi 87:79
AS Trikala - Ilysiakos 73:63
Sporting - P. Faliro 73:69
Apollon Patron - MENT 70:65
Iraklis - Panerythraikos 77:59

Standings:

1. AS Trikala 12-3
2. Panorama 11-4
3. Dafni 11-4
4. Ionikos Lamias 11-4
5. Peristeri 10-5
6. Pagrati 8-7
7. ICBS 8-7
8. Iraklis 8-7
9. MENT 7-8
10. Panerythraikos 7-8
11. AGE Chalkidas 6-9
12. Xanthi 6-9
13. AO P. Falirou 5-10
14. Apollon Patron 4-11
15. Sporting 3-12
16. Ilysiakos 3-12

After the first 15 of 30 gamedays it seems that the 2 A1 places will be played out between the teams currently places on position 1-5, only 2 of the 5 clubs are from Athens (Dafni, Peristeri). On the other end of the standings two former A1 clubs with big tradition (Sporting, Apollon Patron) battle against relegation. Especially Sporting was hit hard by Drosos move to AEK and the following decision not to play in the A1.

[Turkish Airlines Euroleague]

Too bad for the historic team of Apollon Patras. I hope they will not relegate this year, so they will have a new chance next year... :(

[T.W.Is.M.]

Although greek bball needs teams from the country, I would like 2 c Peristeri in A1 again. I grew up watching this team compete in A1 and finish in high positions, so it seems strange 2 c them low. I've seen their arena b a threat 4 any big teama and the strong Peristeri has been connected in my mind with the best era of greek bball.

[Juan Carlos Nadal]

I agree with TWIsM about Peristeri. They do belong in A1. But this year it is very hard to choose who to want to see promoted:

Trikala would be a nice addition to A1. No other team has made it that high from their region and it would be nice to see them replace Olympiada or Rethymno, one of which, at least, will definitely go down.

Panorama is a big surprise for me. I am not sure if it would be nice to see them in A1 tho, as they have a tiny arena and my guess would be that they have no fan base (who bothers to watch the local basketball team in a posh suburb anyway?)

Ionikos Lamias: They are organized, they seem to have money, and they also appear to have the necessary patience to make it to A1. Their arena is also OK, so they would be welcome to A1. And they do have some fans.

Peristeri: What is their financial situation? Could they make an impact if they get promoted?

Dafni: No thanks.

Iraklis. Just like Peristeri they owe to be in A1. Only while on a healthy financial state though, which I don't think they are right now, right?

ICBS: My personal fav team. I do not wish to see them in A1 tho, as I am a much bigger fan of A2. Also the ICBS Forum is way too small for A1 and would force the team play at some other venue where no Oreokastrian (sic) would bother to go (hell, they don't even go in the Forum either).

Pangrati: I know zilch about them. Maybe wardjdim can tell us more.

[T.W.Is.M.]

I agree with TWIsM about Peristeri. They do belong in A1. But this year it is very hard to choose who to want to see promoted:

Trikala would be a nice addition to A1. No other team has made it that high from their region and it would be nice to see them replace Olympiada or Rethymno, one of which, at least, will definitely go down.

Panorama is a big surprise for me. I am not sure if it would be nice to see them in A1 tho, as they have a tiny arena and my guess would be that they have no fan base (who bothers to watch the local basketball team in a posh suburb anyway?)

Ionikos Lamias: They are organized, they seem to have money, and they also appear to have the necessary patience to make it to A1. Their arena is also OK, so they would be welcome to A1. And they do have some fans.

Peristeri: What is their financial situation? Could they make an impact if they get promoted?

Dafni: No thanks.

Iraklis. Just like Peristeri they owe to be in A1. Only while on a healthy financial state though, which I don't think they are right now, right?

ICBS: My personal fav team. I do not wish to see them in A1 tho, as I am a much bigger fan of A2. Also the ICBS Forum is way too small for A1 and would force the team play at some other venue where no Oreokastrian (sic) would bother to go (hell, they don't even go in the Forum either).

Pangrati: I know zilch about them. Maybe wardjdim can tell us more.

I can't comment on much as I follow only results from A2. However, if I could pick 1 team 2 b promoted together with Peristeri, which I mentioned above, that would b Ionikos Lamias. I think they r a healthy club, they were able 2 sign some experienced players and I believe they have the ability 2 compete in A1. Trikala could b an interesting case, they have many former players of AEL with some A1 experience, the only bad thing is that their region already has Olympia and AEL in A1.
Panorama and ICBS r from Salonica. It would sound very strange 2 me if one of these teams were in A1 while Iraklis were in A2.
Pagrati is a historic team, but they r another team from a suburb of Athens, just like Dafni. If there were an expansion of A1 to 16 teams, I wouldn't mind seeing them there. In a 14-team division they have 2 replace an Athens team if they r 2 b in A1. Maybe in 2-3 years after Vovos will have left Maroussi...
Finally I agree with u about Iraklis. They have 2 establish financial stability and then they should return 2 A1, where they belong.

[Trifilli]

Another update on the A2, this time after Day 25:

AGE Chalkidas - MENT 66:81
Panorama - P. Faliro 78:51
Peristeri - Ilysiakos 81:74
AO Pagrati - Xanthi 73:78
ICBS - Panerythraikos 72:86
Ionikos Lamias - Dafni 72:59
AS Trikala - Iraklis 73:64
AO Sporting - Apollon Patron 89:70

The Standings after Day 25:

1. AS Trikala 21-4
2. Panorama 18-7
3. Dafni 18-7
4. Ionikos Lamias 16-9
5. Peristeri 16-9
6. Pagrati 14-11
7. ICBS 13-12
8. Iraklis 13-12
9. Panerythraikos 12-13
10. MENT 11-14
11. Xanthi 11-14
12. Apollon Patron 9-16
13. Ilysiakos 9-16
14. AGE Chalkidas 7-18
15. AO Sporting 7-18*
16. P. Faliro 5-20

So with 5 gamedays left it looks like Trikala already booked the ticket to the A1 - if they get joined by Panorama get ready for another two tiny arenas in the A1 :p
Dafni also still has good chances for a return to the A1 though - another team from Athens, while no team from Athens will be relegated from the A1...
Ionikos Lamias and Peristeri only have small chances left, although I'd like to see one of them making it.

Sporting pays a high price for Drosos instant leave just before the beginning of the season. Instead of playing in the A1 they get relegated to the B Ethniki now, joining P. Faliro and most likely Chalkida. Luckily it looks like the youngster team of Ilysiakos is avoiding relegation once again.

[Trifilli]

Day 29:

AGE Chalkidas - Peristeri 66:109
AO Pagrati - Panorama 73:71
ICBS - Xanthi 81:55
Ionikos Lamias - Ilysiakos 81:83
AS Trikala - P. Faliro 85:69
Sporting - MENT 87:89
Apollon Patron - Panerythraikos 54:70
Iraklis - Dafni 75:74

Standings after Day 29:

1. AS Trikala 24-5
2. Panorama 21-8
3. Dafni 21-8
4. Ionikos Lamias 18-11
5. Peristeri 18-11
6. Iraklis 16-13
7. AO Pagrati 15-14
8. ICBS 15-14
9. MENT 14-15
10. Panerythraikos 14-15
11. Xanthi 13-16
12. Ilysiakos 12-17
13. Apollon Patron 11-18
14. AGE Chalkidas 7-22
15. Sporting 7-22
16. P. Faliro 6-23

Trikala is in the A1 for sure, Chalkida, Sporting (sad story) and P. Faliro are relegated. The 2nd A1 spot will be decided between Panorama (Saloniki) and Dafni (Athens), who both lost on day 29. Panorama will play relegated Chalkida at home on day 30, while Dafni will meet Pagrati, at home as well. The direct comparison between the two teams is in favour of Panorama, so they have the upper hand. Panorama had some financial problems recently though, so no idea if they really want to make it into the A1.
The favs before the season - Peristeri, Ionikos Lamias and Iraklis - failed in their mission to return / make it to the first league.

[Trifilli]

A2 Day 30:

Panorama - AGE Chalkidas 104:76
Dafni - Pagrati 78:56
Peristeri - ICBS 84:70
Xanthi - Ionikos Lamias 76:85
Ilysiakos - AS Trikala 71:67
P. Faliro - Sporting 87:77
MENT - Apollon Patron 73:63
Panerythraikos - Iraklis 81:73

Standings after Day 30:

1. AS Trikala 24-6
2. Panorama 22-8 *
3. Dafni 22-8
4. Ionikos Lamias 19-11
5. Peristeri 19-11
6. Iraklis 16-14
7. MENT 15-15 *
8. Pagrati 15-15
9. Panerythraikos 15-15
10. ICBS 15-15
11. Ilysiakos 13-17
12. Xanthi 13-17
13. Apollon Patron 11-19
14. AGE Chalkidas 7-23
15. P. Faliro 7-23
16. Sporting 7-23

*The match between Panorama and MENT was ordered to be replayed, but won't change anything for Panorama, as they lost that game and will stay on 2nd place even if they lose it again (if it is going to be played...).

So Panorama is the 2nd team which secured the right to play in the A1 next season - while it is far from sure that they're really do so in the end. They have financial difficulties for weeks now and there are rumours that another team might take their place in the A1. Time will tell...
Chalkida, Palaio Faliro and Sporting are relegated to the B' Ethniki - a really sad story especially for Sporting, the club fell from heaven (A1 qualification) to hell (B' Ethniki) after Drossos left.