The Boss!
Olympiacos was the absolute dominant team in the derby of the 15th day of the SKRATS Basket League winning 80-66. Now the ‘reds’ are ranking first.
The game began in a dreamy fashion for the players of Giannis Sfairopoulos. The ‘reds’ playing amazing defense and functioning perfectly offensive wise, had a 27-9 first quarter and never looked back. The difference was even at +30 and the final 80-66 showcases who the boss of the game was.
THE DEFENSE: It was PERFECT in the first half. More specifically in the first 18 minutes when the Greek Champions were leading at+30 stopping Panathinaikos at 19 points. In the second half, although the defense was up to par, just wasn’t what it had been during the first 18 minutes.
THE OFFENSE: ‘Thrylos’ was out of this world during the first 17 minutes of the game, with the score being 49-19 being the absolute testament to that. The ‘Thrylos’ players playing fast and smart, were always one play ahead of their opponents. Threes were succeeding one another, Spanoulis made a show case of why he’s the best player in Europe and thus Olympiacos got the victory before the game even began.
THE MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis. The captain threw … a party during the first half against Panathinaikos, was unstoppable scoring 17 points with threes from … downtown and paved the way for his team mates to reach a major victory.
KEEPING, FORGETTING: Keeps the first half and especially the initial 17 minutes when the ‘reds’ ‘crushed’ Panathinaikos. Forgets the time between 17’ and 30’ when the opponent closed in to 9 points.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 27-9, 53-29, 66-54, 80-66
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Hunter 6, Spanoulis 17 (3), Strawberry 14 (2), Printezis 5, Mantzaris 4, Johnson-Odom 2, Papapetrou 3 (1), Milutinov 6, Agravanis, Hackett 16 (3), Αthinaiou 6 (2).
Panathinaikos (Djordjevic): Jankovic, Feldein 16 (2), Gist 10, Calathes 3, Kuzmic 3, Pavlovic 3, Fotsis 9 (3), Radulica 12, Pappas 2, Diamantides 8 (2), Papagiannis.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «There is no doubt that we dominated the game completely. We began very strong, surprised our opponent, started with a lot of energy, with great confidence, we only received 9 points in the first quarter and got a difference of 18 points early on. If we take out the last two minutes of the first half, we had complete control and an absolute safety net. We talked during half time break and said that the momentum was very easy to change. We were expecting for Panathinaikos to react. What we saw in the first half was not up to the Panathinaikos’ standards and this was obvious in the third quarter by their reaction. We kept the difference at 12 points and despite it got down to 9, we again built up and got a comfortable victory which we absolutely deserved. Congratulations to our players for their effort. It wasn’t easy following the loss to Zalgiris and Bamberg to play a derby. That’s why they deserve congratulations for their mental agility. There is a long way to go and they need to fight all games. The team has to stay focused and together, humble and modest and continue in the same mode. We won an important game, but we still have a long way to go. We need to continue fighting for the Euroleague, regardless of the two bad results, because we still have a long way to go there as well. We need to fight one game at a time, starting with the one against Real. I wish to thank the fans for their help. The conditions were great and it’s very important for the fans to behave that way, to support the team with their voice”.
NIKOLA MILUTINOV: «It was a very important victory for us but we still have a long way to go. We need to forget about this victory, because we play against a great opponent in three days”.
SASA DJORDJEVIC: «Congratulations to Olympiacos. They were readier than us to play the game. I don’t know why. The first half was beyond any logic, according to my philosophy as a competitor. Everyone dreams about playing games like that, but the way we started the game we were totally off any kind of competitive basketball. I was clear with my players. I expected that they wouldn’t repeat such a mistake. It didn’t happen here for the first time, it was the same against Locomotiv Kuban a few nights ago. When we came to the floor we started playing the basketball we know. This has to do with character, the team dynamics and the coach’s knowledge. We need to wise up and not allow something like that to happen again. I don’t have an explanation. What happened in the first half is beyond my basketball logic? You have to play the hardest you can, but I didn’t see my players do that in the first half. In the second half, they played accordingly to what we had prepared as a plan and to their standards. We have experienced players, but they don’t all know how to play to win. It’s a choice we have as a team. When you lose, everyone is trying to find which player you are missing, but I need to work with the players I have”.
NIKOS PAPPAS: «We had a very beginning in the first half. This beginning not only deprived us of victory but also from even trying for it. In the second half we reacted, but we did not make it at the end. We began with no energy, something that shows lack of a will to fight. Olympiacos did not allow us any room to function showing an abundance of energy. Our ego is hurt and we are going to try to work to improve and come back. It’s still too early to say that the home court advantage is decided. Both teams almost lost games in the previous days. From now on, we have no choice but to win all our games in both Greece and Europe”.