Done its part, but got the second place…
Without its injured captain, Vassilis Spanoulis, the “reds” did their part in France and beat Nancy 74-79. Nevertheless, their victory did not bring the desired result which had been making the top spot of their group, since FB Ulker edged Cantu in Italy.
Dusan Ivkovic’ players began the game in France rather timid and without intensity in defense, thus trailing 27-21 at the end of the first quarter. Vangelis Mantzaris entering the court shifted balance, Olympiacos defense got tighter and the “reds” led 47-44 at half-time.
Nancy, although indifferent to the outcome, proved to be a tough opponent and did not give up at any point in the game. The derby went on the end with Printezis and Sloukas leading Olympiacos in the fourth quarter and consequently to the victory.
The quarters: 27-21, 44-47, 64-61, 74-79
Νancy : Grant 6(2), Badiane 8, Shuler 18, Sylla, Linehan 8(1), Samnick 10, Amagou 6, Moerman 11(1), Gregory 7
Οlympiacos (Ivkovic): Hines 8, Lucas 4, Antic 20(2), Κeselj, Pelekanos 5, Gecevicius 6(2), Glyniadakis 5, Printezis 18(2), Μantzaris 2, Sloukas 8
DUSAN IVKOVIC: "It has been difficult for us to try to adjust our play minus two of our key players in only one week. Our defense in the first quarter has not been of Euroleague levels, but we improved a lot later on, the game was held in a very strong tempo and I think we deserved this victory. It’s important for this team to have succeeded its first away victory in this fashion. Unfortunately for us, we have had two injuries in the point-guard position.
Our group has been a very tough one and when Nancy had Batum in its roster, it was a very different team. Mantzaris was very good in the second quarter and I’m sorry he’s got injured; I hope it’s nothing serious. It has been difficult for us to play tonight against experienced and athletic players, but I’m glad the guys did well.
I need to first talk with the doctors and see how bad the injuries are, but we have three injuries in the point guard position and also Papadopoulos down, we’ll see what we are going to do.
I want to talk about the game and not about rumors on new players.
Merry Christmas to everyone..."
GIORGOS PRINTEZIS: " In a group like this, the way the games have been going, we could have been fifth as well. The way we have played, I consider the second place to be a good one. We are going to continue improving and trying. It’s a very important victory because we were lacking players. We played as a team and that’s the only way we can win away games".