'Opened tab' at home!

Olympiacos bested Zalgiris 74-68 at the Peace & Friendship Stadium and got his first Euroleague win of the season.

Being totally focused on the defensive side of the game and with great physicality, Olympiacos absolutely dominated the first quarter against Zalgiris. The 'red & whits' allowed the guests to score a mere 6 points, whereas they reached 21 points through good collaboration in the offensive end. The quarter ended with a 9-0 streak that went unanswered and captain Kostas Papanikolaou shaping the 21-6 score with a buzzer-beating three. In the second quarter, Petrusev sent the difference to +18 (25-7, 14') and Zalgiris tried to get back in the game upping the pressure on the ball, without though the 'red & whites' ever handing over control of the game, mainly relying on their defense, hence the +11 lead at half time (35-24).  

In the third quarter, Olympiacos did not exhibit the same patience when in attack, which was a direct result of the increased pressure the Lithuanians were exerting. The margin fell down from 10 points at 29' (48-41) and Giorgos Bartzokas decided to send Moustapha Fall in the 'fight' (he received the warmest of welcomes from the fans). Trinchieri's  team closed the quarter with buzzer beating three by Smailagic (52-43) that was enough to boost moral for the guests and put the hosts on guard. 

In the fourth and final quarter, the game was on fire. Papanikolaou scored a three at 32' that gave our team a 10p. lead, however, Zalgiris launched its final counter-attack, giviing the hosts a hard time. Good decision making and with Sasha Vezenkov stepping up in the offensive end, Olympiacos got the 74-68 win. 

The quarters: 21-6, 35-24, 52-43, 74-68.

OLYMPIACOS BC

ZALGIRIS