Green spoke at the end
Olympiacos was trailing by 5 (94-89) one minute before the end of the game against Doxa Lefkadas for the 3rd day of the Stoiximan Basket League, but with two threes by Eric Green the Greek champs took a 94-95 victory.
Giannis Sfairopoulos and his players knew how difficult a mission they had, since in less than 48 hours, following the game against Efes, they had to travel and play against Lefkada on the road. The offense was on point in the first quarter, but not defense as well and the first quarter ended tied 26-26. The game continued the same way in the second quarter, Olympiacos went on being good only in the offense and half time was 45-52.
In the third quarter, the Piraeus team played their game, Young and Lojeski offered offensive solutions, defense improved a lot and Olympiacos was leading at the end of the third quarter 65-81. However, everything came upside down in the fourth quarter. The hosts ran a partial 20-4 and tied the game (85-85). They even led 94-89, one minute before the end. At that point, Eric Green took action and with two back to back threes, the second one only a second shy of the buzzer, and Olympiacos got a 95-94 victory.
The quarters: 26-26, 45-52, 65-81, 94-95.
Doxa Lefkadas (Μarkopoulos): Psathas, Scott 15, Demertzis 3 (1), Georgakis, Tapoutos 10, Doblas 16 (1), Robinson 8, Tsaldaris 15 (4), Wells 27 (4).
Olympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Green 13 (3), Birch 8 (4reb), Young 8, Papapetrou, Spanoulis 19 (11as, 1 3p), Αgravanis 6, Printezis 8, Papanikolaou 5 (4reb), Mantzaris 10 (2), Hackett 2, Lojeski 16 (4).
THE QUOTES
CHARIS MARKOPOULOS: "Our players made a super effort. We slowed down the game at the end of the third quarter, made Olympiacos nervous and got the momentum. If we hadn't gotten super-exited when we were leading by 5, maybe the result could have been different. That's basketball. I don't know if we got to play against Olympiacos 100 times if there would be another chance like this again to win. We want to be competitive at every game. We scored 94 points against one of the top European teams and this is certainly a badge of honor. We need to address some mistakes we made, since we still have some communication problems, utilizing the first games of the season as scrimage ones".
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: "We knew Lefkada is an offensive team. They have proved to be able to win teams that are bigger names than they are, just like they did against PAOK. They play without fear and they always are extra motivated. We were quite good in the offense, but we had a problem with our defensive game and we weren't focused. We weren't who we are supposed to be. When we were leading by 16 at 30' was a pivotal moment in the game. We thought it was over. Lefkada did not quit, they believed in winning and came back to the game making some big if also lucky shots. At the end, the game was a derby. We kept a clear head and we moved the ball finding the open player so as to make the two threes. I really want to congratulate Doxa, I wish them they keep the category. Tough schedule is not an excuse. We have to play a lot of games, but there are no excuses. Whoever is not ready will be in trouble. That's how the schedule is, we are professionals and we need to cope. You cannot have a couple of good games and relax. When you play for Olympiacos you need to always be ready".
KHEM BIRCH: "Last season when I was playing for Usak, we were always preparing being the outsiders and we had no anxiety when we were playing big teams. I believe this is what Doxa did to play against us. That's also how we had a lot of surprise results last season in Turkey. We need to be more ready and more focused when we play games like that".
ERIC GREEN: "Congratulations to Doxa. They played a very strong game. Coach trusts me, I took the shots and made them. Spanoulis needs also to take credit, for seeing I was open and passed me the ball. I'm happy for the shot, but mainly for the victory. It's among the top 3-4 of my career. You need to play your best, no matter who the opponent is. All teams are going to try and beat us and we need to be ready mentally and physically to cope with the hardship".