Olympiacos did not make it against Armani
Although Olympiacos made an impressive start in the game, was actually defeated by Armani Jeans Milano 88-86 in the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
Our team made an impressive start. The Back2Back European Champions managed to lead 10-0 and 13-5 with Stratos Perperoglou making an amazing start and the whole team playing superb defense in the first three minutes. However, some wrong offensive choices and the lack of concentration allowed the Italians to close in 29-23 at the end of the first quarter.
The ‘reds’ defense went on being poor into the second quarter. The guests scored 27 points during that time and half time was 47-50. The two teams were going point for point in the third quarter. Shermadini and Sloukas provided with offensive solutions and offered assistance to Perperoglou and Printezis, but some lost defensive rebounds and the good quota of the guests from behind the arc allowed Armani to lead 63-65.
In the last quarter, the Olympiacos players, although trailing 63-73, made a huge effort on both ends of the floor and took the lead by one (81-80). However, Armani was shooting better and was luckier and succeeded in getting the 86-88 victory.
The quarters: 29-23, 47-50, 63-65, 86-88
Olympiacos (Bartzokas): Petway 3 (1), Shermadini 9, Dunston 11, Perperoglou 22 (2), Sloukas 13 (1), Collins, Printezis 16 (1), Mantzaris 5 (1), Katsivelis, Lojeski 7 (1).
Armani Jeans Milano (Banchi): Gentile, Cerella 3, Meli 2, Hackett 9 (3), Kangur 7 (1), Langford 20 (3), Samuels 9, Wallace 8 (1), Lawal 13, Moss6 (2), Jerrells 11 (3).
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: “I think a great effort was made by our team tonight given the circumstances. I have no complaints from the effort, although the result did not vindicate us. It’s the third game in a row that some decisions at the end decide the result. Some details cost us. Dunston, who played a great game, unfortunately missed two free throws at the end; they made a lot of threes, tough ones. I don’t have complaints from the refs, but Hackett’s three was made following Langford’s ball handling. Lawal made a shot from a spot he’s never been successful before. I wish to thank our players on encouraging the team. We have to gather our pieces, second seed is kind of far by now, but we have to look at the next game and see what we can accomplish”.
About the rotation in the game. “No matter what decision you make, you always take and always give something. Some players played more than usual. The result either justifies or not the decisions you have made. My thought before the game had been to shorten the rotation”.
A defeat is always a defeat, no matter what the positive elements may have been. Vassilis was out, we had more problems, and we did not make it. Their exceptional three points quota played a role to their victory. Your shooting percentages have to do with the amount of pressure you are feeling. We have to acknowledge that our opponent plays very well and with confidence. Law had been our defensive stopper, who could usually guard well an opposing fast guard, we could not find a new Law in the market. That’s how things are and that’s how we need to make go from now on”.
On Lojeski’s choice to shoot for three with 1 second to go: “Lojeski is a shooter, he took the shot, he could have made it but missed. I’ll say it again, in such a close game many such plays can happen. Many details, a lot of small staff played a role. I’m not targeting any one player. We made our effort with many of our players having a lot of fouls, we could have won but didn’t. That’s the story”.
LUCA BANCHI: “I would like to congratulate both teams. It was an excellent game that no team abandoned. Olympiacos approached the game with amazing energy, they put in a great effort, which we had expected. We knew that the shock about Spanoulis’ absence would urge them to give even more; I would like to congratulate my players for an amazing job done in a tough court. This is our second victory on the road this season. We made some mistakes in the end, played kind of superficially in offense, but handled the situation properly and won. This group is one of the toughest in Euroleague history. Each game is a “battle”. We need to stay focused, and see how things evolve game by game. Nothing is decided just yet. Ok, maybe Barcelona has sealed first place, but I still don’t think they are going to finish the TOP-16 undefeated. I’m not talking about second place; the only thing I want is for my players to focus at one game at a time”.