A defeat in OAKA
Olympiacos lost 73-69 to Panathinaikos in OAKA for the second day of the SKRATS Basket League.
The first quarter was of outwardly proportions for 'Thrylos;. With consecutive threes, 'Thrylos' managed to lead 18-32 at 10'. In the second quarter, however, poor shooting cost the Champions, something that the hosts took advantage of and had a one basket game (41-43) at half-time.
The 'reds' played excellent defense in the third quarter and the game was heads on battle during the whole 10 ten minutes ending 56-55 for Panathinaikos. However, Panathinaikos started better in the last quarter and made the score 67-57. A 7-0 streak by Papapetrou and Spanoulis gave a 3 points game to Olympiacos (67-64). But a new 7-0 streak, this time for the hosts, turned the score to 71-64 for the home team. A three by Spanoulis at 36'' made the score 71-67 and the buzzer came with the final score being 73-69 for the hosts.
The quarters: 18-32, 41-43, 56-55, 73-69.
Panathinaikos (Djordjevic): Pavlovic 10, Feldein 12 (2), Gist 7, Calathes 2, Kuzmic 8, Jankovic 7 (2), Fotsis 11 (2), Radulica 11, Diamantidis 5 (1).
Olympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Papapetrou 13 (3 3p, 2reb), Spanoulis 7 (1 3p, 10as), Milutinov 2 (3 reb), Printezis 13 (1 3p, 5 reb), Mantzaris 8 (2 3p, 4 reb, 2 st), Young 6 (5reb), Strawberry 4 (3 reb), Agravanis 3 (1), Hackett 2, Lojeski 11 (5reb), Αthinaiou.
Giannis Sfairopoulos said during the post - game Press Conference: "At the end of the game and while my associate, Mr. Tomic was talking to the referees, was the recipient of a vulgar verbal attack by the opposing coach and that's why I cannot make statements, I cannot sit at the same table with the coach of the opponent. Thank you very much and goodbye! If you want me to make statements, I'll do that outside our locker rooms".
Next, the Greek coach stated the following outside the team locker rooms: "My associate, Mr. Tomic, went at the end of the game to talk with the refs and was verbally attacked in the most obscene fashion by the opponent's head coach and then by Calathes, the player of Panathinaikos. Mr. Tomic was conferring with Mr. Panagiotou, since, according to our opinion, had made several calls that determined the game's outcome. So, it seems that our opponent did not approve of us talking to a ref and that's why the verbal attack. I cannot sit at the same table with the coach who does respect my associates. That's the reason I left. I don't care if he apologizes, it's not my problem. Ask him if he feels like apologizing. I was very clear, I cannot sit at the same table with a coach who disrespects my associates and curses their mothers and their fathers. I don't care about the future, it's their problem, not mine. In regard to the game, I think, that despite losing, we proved tonight that we are the better team. We began with great focused, very strong, we imposed our rhythm on the floor, the key to the development of the game were the last four minutes of the first half when we lost our concentration, made five turnovers during that time and our opponents made easy baskets, many of which had a foul bonus. We fought during the second half, it was a derby in the second half, while we dominated the first one and the game was decided by details at the end".