The Mythical Goodbye of a Legend

In an appropriate send-off for their departing legend, Panathinaikos Superfoods highlighted its preseason on Saturday by defeating current Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion CSKA Moscow 80-73 to win the Diamonds Are Forever Tournament. The moment of the night was watching the number 13 jersey of that legend, Dimitris Diamantidis, join him in retirement as it floated to the ceiling to culminate a ceremony enjoyed by his adoring fans at sold-out Olympic Sports Center Athens. Diamantidis played in the game, his last time wearing his famed green No. 13. The clock was stopped with 13 seconds left in the first half to honor him and send the jersey to the rafters, where it will remain. Diamantidis was honored everyone present with gifts, a spectacular light show and of course the non-stop adoration of the Panathinaikos Superfoods fans. Panathinaikos Superfoods was behind 39-48 at that time but roared back in the second half to take the victory. Ioannis Bourousis paced Panathinaikos Superfoods with 18 points and gave the Greens a crucial 76-71 advantage with 2 minutes left. Nick Calathes added 12 points, Mike James and Chris Singleton 8 each. For CSKA, James Augustine had 18 points and Nando De Colo 13. In the tournament consolation game, Maccabi FOX Tel Avivtopped FC Barcelona Lassa 92-87 thanks to a late 4-21 run as Victor Rudd had 18 points.

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