A “red” counter-attack
Olympiacos beat Fenerbahce/Ulker 82-71 and has a 3-3 record for the Euroleague TOP-16. Spanoulis, Printezis and Sloukas were the best for the hosts.
The team of Giorgos Bartzokas was not good defense wise in the first quarter when it received 24 points. Printezis and Spanoulis were leading the team in offense for the 23-24 of the first quarter. However, as time was passing, Olympiacos by means of excellent defense was imposing his ruling on the game. With an outstanding Law, the “reds” turned the situation in their favor. Defense kept the Turkish team at 13 points in the second quarter which ended 43-37. In the third quarter, the Turks scored only six points in seven minutes. Sloukas and Hines did a great job and with a partial 25-12 the European and Greek Champions ended the game.
The quarters: 23-24, 43-37, 68-49, 82-71
Οlympiacos (Bartzokas): Hines 10 (2reb), Law 12 (1 3p., 2reb), Antic 4 (4reb, 1st, 1t, 1as.), Spanoulis 15 (2/6 3p, 5as.), Perperoglou 5 (1 3p, 9reb), Shermadini 8 (3reb), Sloukas 10, Powell, Gecevicius 1, Printezis 13 (1), Papanikolaou 5 (1 3p, 5reb).
Fenerbahce/Ulker (Pianigiani): McCalebb 20 (2), Ermis 4, Sato, Tripkovic 5 (1), Andersen 18 (2), Peker 2, Savas, Batiste, Karaman 2, Bogdanovic 20 (2).
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: “The outcome of the game was positive for us and this is very important. Two weeks ago I said we had to quickly fix the problem our defeat to Siena has cost us and after winning in Tel Aviv and tonight I get to think that our sum up is positive again. We are within qualification range and we are optimistic about the future. I would like to sincerely congratulate my players for once again proving to have character. After all that has happened, Mantzaris got injured, Law, who was very good in both ends of the court, was ejected and it took collective work to pull through.
Also, Hines had a tear above the eye that fortunately was not serious. If we exclude the last quarter, we were pretty good in creativity and team playing. We were consistent in rebounding at both ends of the court and this had been enough to cover for 11 free throws missed by players that normally don’t miss free throws, while we also missed several free shots despite having very good shooters. This had been negative… However, creativity, consistency in rebounding and character were all present. I would like to dedicate this victory to Vangelis Mantzaris. We wish him to get well and that he returns the soonest possible.
We wish to thank the fans for their support. These guys deserve to have their support in the upcoming games as well. The defeat to Siena hurt us the way it came. We were leading by 5 and we received a 7-0 streak in 32’’, time when we made a lot of mistakes, but also incredible things happened at the same time to make us lose. We have to remember that in Tel Aviv, we won despite missing two of our key players, while we also came through tonight despite the absences.
Also, Law’s ejection really threw us off. When in the TOP-16, you have to forget what you’ve done, either good or bad, and just move on. It’s a marathon where injuries and getting out of shape are a fact, but I think that in the end, each team is going to get what it deserves. It’s clear that I watch more DVD’s about Panathinaikos than about new players… Our right to make an addition expires in 20 days, just before the beginning of the second round of the TOP-16. We’ll make the best possible choice according to market availability. Monday’s game is crucial since it’s going to largely decide the play-offs advantage. We don’t have room for our minds to wonder. For sure we are looking at players, but we are at point zero. I wish we had the same rhythm in all four quarters. However, the fact that we were leading by 20, got into foul trouble, Powell had not been ready and at the same time we had to put on the floor an untested figure of a roster, which you’ll probably never see again, allowed our opponent and especially McCalebb, Bogdanovic and Andersen to close in the game”.
SIMONE PIANIGIANI: “It was a very difficult and tough game. We have had many problems. Prezlic and Onan were out, while everything ended with Sato being ejected. We did not have a good rotation in the perimeter. Some players had to play many minutes. We tried to remain competitive but it was very difficult without Sato. He’s a key player in our defense, in rebounding and gives us energy. So, we did not stand a chance, but the important thing is that my players did not give up. It’s time to regain our confidence and we have to feel proud.
We lead the difficult Turkish League, while the Cup is also important to us. This game is going to be good for our psychology. I can’t say anything bad for my players tonight. Ups and downs in our performance are only logical. We are a new team. We lost our confidence after been defeated by Siena, when we were leading by 11 but lost at the end. You have to remain 100% focused when in the Euroleague and not lose back to back games. If Olympiacos had lost in Tel Aviv, then they would be in the same position we are in. Now it is Maccabi Tel Aviv that’s in the same position with us. This Euroleague is a balanced one. McCalebb was out for a month and then we have had problems with Andersen. It’s not easy, but we need an extra big win. I don’t know when and where we’re going to get it, in the Euroleague or the Turkish League, but we need it to regain confidence.
I’m the kind of coach that puts pressure on themselves. Millions of fans believe in our team and we respect that. All the Turks and the foreigners that are with the team know where they are and feel the pressure. Siena was a small city, but even there, when you got out on the street, you could feel the pressure. We want our people to be proud for the way we’ve been working. In previous games, for example in the one against Maccabi, we stopped playing in the third quarter. Tonight, despite the same thing could have happened, we didn’t. Olympiacos respected us. They played with Spanoulis to the end, while they also called a time-out to organize their game”.
The group results
Besiktas-Maccabi Tel Aviv 55-77
Οlympiacos-Fenerbahace/Ulker 82-71
Barcelona-Siena 85-66
Caja Laboral-Κhimki (1/2)
Standings
1. Barcelona 5-1
2. Siena 5-1
3. Caja Laboral 4-1*
4. Οlympiacos 3-3
5. Κhimki 3-2*
6. Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-4
7. Fenerbahce/Ulker 1-5
8. Besiktas 0-6
*One game less
Highlights...Photo Gallery... {myFlickr}feed=photoset, photoset_id=72157632664953444, layout=table, columns=3, style=css6, gallery=lightbox{/myFlickr}