Fought like the Champion of Europe
Olympiacos fought just like the European Champion was expected to in the fifth game of the play-offs against Real in Madrid, but lost and was eliminated from the Milan Final Four.
The game began well for our team that succeeded to take the lead through continuous threes. However, poor defense later on and not so correct offensive choices, allowed Real Madrid to lead 18-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The Spaniards went on being frustratingly well shots from behind the 6.75m arc and the difference climbed above ten points at 12’ (25-14). Our team ran a partial 9-2 and managed to close in 37-23. However, the Spaniards with continuous threes made the score 33-23. Real took a 13 points lead at 18’ (40-27) but within a couple of minutes the Back2Back European Champions came close to six points (40-34) following a 7-0 streak. The end of the first half found the Spaniards leading 40-34.
The difference at the first five minutes of the second half went above ten points (52-41). Brent Petway scored a three from the corner to write the score 53-46, while a “goal & foul” by Cedrick Simmons brought the ‘reds’ even closer (58-52) and the third quarter ended 59-52 for the team of Pablo Laso.
Real, with impossible threes, beyond any reasoning, succeeded in leading 66-54 at 33’. Many lost defensive rebounds cost the Piraeus team and the Madrilène maintained a safety net of over ten points. At 36’, Reyes with a two from a five meters range, made the score 74-61. It was at about that point that the ‘reds’ were left without any more strength to continue and all ended with Olympiacos being eliminated from the Milan Final Four.
Τhe quarters: 18-12, 40-34, 59-52, 83-69.
Real Madrid (Laso): Fernandez 15 (1), Reyes 15, Diez, Mirotic 10, Rodriguez 8 (2), Darden 6, Llull 20 (4), Bourousis 8, Slaughter 1, Mejri.
Olympiacos (Bartzokas): Petway 9 (3), Dunston 4, Spanoulis 19 (2), Papapetrou 3 (1), Sloukas 3, Collins 3, Simmons 7, Printezis 4, Mantzaris 2, Lojeski 15 (3).
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: “I would like to congratulate Real for qualifying to the Final Four. Just like Olympiacos proved knowing how to win during the past two years, we also know how to lose. I feel we drained every ounce of strength we have had and in order to win tonight we needed something more. I don’t know if it was mental or physical, but when you make 13 turnovers and allow 17 offensive rebounds, then it’s too hard to win such a game. We did not manage fouls well, we should have done better. And thus the game went its way for Real. We are content for really trying. But what cost us was not something we did wrong against Real, was not obtaining the home court advantage. I believe the injury of three of our Greek internationals during the TOP-16 cost us so as not to be able to get the home court advantage due to some defeats in a row. I’m proud for my players and their effort”.
Asked about the injuries: “Our chemistry was disrupted indeed following the injuries of Printezis, Perperoglou and Spanoulis. Even tonight, Perperoglou did not play, Printezis was OK for about 10-12 minutes and Spanoulis was reserving strength following his injury. I repeat that we are sad only for not qualifying to the Final Four”.
On whether there is a favorite to win the Final Four: “Last year and the year before, Olympiacos proved there are no favorites in a Final Four. It has to do with the tactic plan and the psychological one derived by every team, it has to do with momentum and injuries and many times it has nothing to do with who is the most talented team. There is meritocracy in the Euroleague, it’s always the best teams that qualify for the Final Four and it is won by the most ready. All four teams that have qualified are worthy 100%”.
Highlights... Photo Gallery... {myFlickr}feed=photoset, photoset_id=72157644394881654, layout=table, columns=3, style=css6, gallery=lightbox{/myFlickr}