The series ties 1-1 in an impressive fashion
Olympiacos was extraordinary in the second play-offs final against Panathinaikos, won 89-64 and tied the series 1-1.
Our team made an impressive beginning in the game. Printezis and Lojeski were unstoppable in offense, the defense was functioning in an exemplary manner and it was thus Olympiacos succeeded in sending the difference three times above 17 points during the first quarter, which ended 29-12.
Things stayed the same into the second quarter. Spanoulis began executing and creating for his team mates, Petway and Shermadini offered significant help and the ‘reds’ closed half time leading 48-29.
Olympiacos maintained complete control of the game into the first five minutes of the third quarter as well. The margin was up to +23 (63-40) following a basket-foul by Cedrick Simmons. During all of the third period the team of Giorgos Bartzokas maintained the difference close or above 20 points and the third quarter ended 67-46 for Olympiacos.
Perperoglou and Sloukas continued being successful behind the 6.75m. arc and the difference was 25 points (75-50) at 33’.
The difference even reached 27 points (82-55) at 35’ following a three by Vangelis Mantzaris. Olympiacos finally got the 89-64 victory and tied the final series 1-1. The following game is on Thursday (May 29) at OAKA.
The quarters: 29-12, 48-29, 67-46, 89-64.
Olympiacos (Bartzokas): Petway 10 (2), Shermadini 3, Dunston 12 (3 reb, 2bl), Spanoulis 12 (2 3p, 4 reb, 4as), Perperoglou 5 (1 3p, 3reb), Papapetrou, Sloukas 5 (1 3p, 3reb, 3as), Collins 2, Simmons 3 (8 reb, 1bl), Lojeski 8 (2 3p, 2reb, 2as), Printezis 18 (2 3p, ), Mantzaris 11 (3 3p, 6 reb, 1as, 2st) .
Panathinaikos (Alvertis): Bramos 4, Curry 3 (1), Fotsis 8, Ukic 2, Lasme 4, Mavrokefalidis 19, Diamantidis 12 (2), Jankovic 4, Maciulis 8 (1), Wright.
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: “We tied the series, as we ought to, in view of challenging the title. Winning the title is actually still difficult, since we have to win on the road. We were pretty good on both ends of the court. We were determined in the beginning, built a safety difference and scored quite a few points against the always solid Panathinaikos defense. Hence things got easier for us after the first quarter. We maintained the difference, had a big rotation, everyone played and played a very good team game. Defensive co-operations were also quite good. That’s all, what counts is the victory and the margin plays no role whatsoever. The series is tied 1-1 and this may be a confidence shot for us, it depends on how we deal with the result, both we and the opponent. We have to play better in OAKA, remain more focused at the end if we want to win”.
VANGELIS MANTZARIS: «We are happy about how we played tonight. We showed from the beginning that we wanted the game a lot and we imposed the rhythm, we built a difference in the first quarter, which we kept. We certainly had some dead periods, but we never allowed the opponent to react and got an important victory. We are now going to OAKA to try for a similar performance and win there as well”.
FRAGKISKOS ALVERTIS: “These games need more focus than usual, it’s a long series with tough games and you don’t have the luxury to relax at no point of the game. We never got in the game during the first quarter and we decided to play I think everything had already been decided. We allowed Olympiacos to play their game, we allowed too many free shots and the result came natural. The series is only tied, we are going back to OAKA to play and try for a totally different game”.
ANTONIS FOTSIS: “The game did not turn out well for us tonight. We allowed Olympiacos from the first quarter to play their game, the game they wanted; they had control of the rhythm and eventually built a difference that they got to maintain. We tried to erase it, but weren’t successful in our effort, at least not enough to claim the victory. This margin remained to the end where it was obvious that Olympiacos played a better game tonight and got a rather easy victory”.