Two more steps…
Olympiacos bested Real Madrid 99-84 for the 12th day of the TOP-16 and now has a 6-6 record. Vangelis Mantzaris was the MVP for the Greek Champions with 19 points.
THE DEFENSE: Olympiacos held Real Madrid, one of the most prolific teams in Europe, under 20 points in two quarters, and all the more, the Madrilènes were left with 33 points after the first half.
THE OFFENSE: The offense was on fire for yet another game. After the game against Kifissia, when the 'reds' scored 97 points, there came the 99 points against Realo Madrid, once again showcasing why 'Thrylos' has the best offense in Europe, apart from having the best offense as well.
THE MVP: Vangelis Mantzaris. The Greek Guard did everything right on the floor. He 'eliminated' Carroll and got to score 19 points with 6/6 threes.
KEEPS, FORGETS: Keeps +15 and the fact that the team remained alive. And everyone knows what it means for 'Thrylos' to be alive. Forgets what happened before. Bygones are bygones. Now there are two more steps to qualification, two victories and 'Thrylos' is going to be in the play-offs.
The quarters : 23-17, 53-33, 73-54, 99-84
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Johnson-Odom 3 (1), Hunter 5, Papapetrou 7 (1), Spanoulis 18 (2), Strawberry 5 (1), Milutinov 4, Printezis 17, Mantzaris 19 (6/6 3p.), Warrick 8, Hackett 5, Papanikolaou 8.
Real Madrid (Lasso): Rivers 17 (3), Fernandez, Noccioni 9 (2), Maciulis 6 (2), Reyes 6, Rodriguez 11 (1), Ayon 7, Carroll 11 (1), Lima, Llull 17 (3), Tompkins, Taylor.
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «It's a very important victory, which was combined with a great margin, against a great opponent. We showed great determination, whoever gave their best and that's why our players deserve to be congrtulated. We got a great difference in the first half, which was one of the best we have ever played. We expected Real was going to react, but they never actually got to claim the game. They are a tempo team that can cover for margins, but we had a clear head in order to manage the second half correctly. We kept such a great team off of the game. We fought to get the difference at the end, we played a smart and controlled game and managed to get the difference in any case" the Greek coach said at first and then added that "we have more games ahead for the Greek League and the TOP16 that are very important. We have worked very hard for these critical games and we focus on each one at a time in order to give our best. It's a victory that shows the potential of the team. We wish to thank our fans for their support. A full Peace and Friendship Stadium is tough on any team. I think that we made their visit worth. I already told my players to forget this game and not to stay at all on it», he added.
Asked on whether heart or tactics played the biggest role, the Greek coach said «tactics and competitiveness were necessary and combining elements. We had them both tonight. The will to win is there, but without a clear head you cannot do what needs to be done».
Next, the Greek coach pointed out about Hakim Warrick that «he has played other good games before, but none like tonights. He has positive thinking, is a good athlete, he has high level experience and the more he gets to know the team philosophy he's going to be playing better. Olympiacos is a group team and has its leader, who is Vassilis Spanoulis, he is the head of the spear».
ΟTHELLO HUNTER: «Our key was defense, we got the rebounds and stopped Real's transition. we need to be tough from now on. We know what we need to do. Everyone is fighting, everyone knows what they need to do and we now need to prove that. The toughest thing we had to face was ourselves. Nothing is easy, we need to play tough».
PABLO LASSO: «Congratulations to Olympiacos. They played much tougher and the difference was built in the first half, when they were shooting right on target. We balanced the game in the second half, fought with our hearts, but it was not enough. We had to play the same way from the beginning. This game is over, we have two more ahead of us, and after tonight's disappointment we need to focus on the games to come. All teams are at the same seed and there two more games. It's possible that one of the two finalists of last season will not qualify».