A triumph in Vitoria
Olympiacos won 95-90 in one of the toughest home courts in Europe. The Greek Champions won in Baskonia and now have a 3-1 record for this season's Euroleague.
The game began with threes being more than 2-pointers for both teams and the Basques managed to lead 27-22, while most Olympiacos points were generated by Vassilis Spanoulis, either with an assist or by direct scoring.
The Piraeus team continued in the same rhythm in the second quarter. On the other hand, defense could not contain the home team that had set a crazy tempo for the game. However, Olympiacos turned the game in the third quarter, improved its defense, found offensive solutions from everyone and had a two point game at 30' (74-72). In the last quarter Olympiacos played the ultimate basketball.
The captain continued leading everyone, Green was on fire and the game turned around, Papapetrou played a great defensive game, Papanikolaou was impressive on both ends of the court, Birch did as he pleased at both posts and Spanoulis was unstoppable to make the final 90-95.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 27-22, 52-47, 74-72, 90-95.
Baskonia (Αlonso): Larkin 14 (2), Akognon 5 (1), Bordignon 7 (1), Hanga 15 (3), Sedekerskis, Beaubois 5 (1), Blazic 9 (1), Diop 9, Tillie 6, Shengelia 20 (3), Luz.
Olympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Green 13 (3 3p, 2reb), Birch 8 (8reb, 1st), Young 4, Papapetrou 5 (1 3p, 5reb), Spanoulis 15 (2 3p, 15as), Agravanis, Milutinov 4, Printezis, Papanikolaou 15 (2 3p, 3reb), Mantzaris 17 (5 3p), Hackett 5 (1), Lojeski 9 (2).
The quarters: 27-22, 52-47, 74-72, 90-95.
Baskonia (Αlonso): Larkin 14 (2), Akognon 5 (1), Bordignon 7 (1), Hanga 15 (3), Sedekerskis, Beaubois 5 (1), Blazic 9 (1), Diop 9, Tillie 6, Shengelia 20 (3), Luz.
Olympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Green 13 (3 3p, 2reb), Birch 8 (8reb, 1st), Young 4, Papapetrou 5 (1 3p, 5reb), Spanoulis 15 (2 3p, 15as), Agravanis, Milutinov 4, Printezis, Papanikolaou 15 (2 3p, 3reb), Mantzaris 17 (5 3p), Hackett 5 (1), Lojeski 9 (2).
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: "We played better defense in the second quarter, stopped them at scoring 40 instead of the 50 they scored in the first half. However, we kept offense at a high level. In a game that was one of the best up to now in this season's Euroleague".
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: "We played better defense in the second quarter, stopped them at scoring 40 instead of the 50 they scored in the first half. However, we kept offense at a high level. In a game that was one of the best up to now in this season's Euroleague".
VASSILIS SPANOULIS: "It's important that we won in such a difficult home court. We all know how difficult it is to win in Vitoria. We try to take advantage of all the players we've got. We continue to maintain the team's identity that is to be a winner at home and on the road. However, we witness basketball changing, so we need to improve our game as well. You need to take 100% from every player, that's what the coach has been doing. We need to improve at 5 on 5, at in between circumstances; we need to be among the best teams in Europe. I try to 'read' what defense allows me, at times I will pass, others I will score. The point is for the team to win".
MILAN TOMIC: "It's for sure that Papapetrou made some great defensive plays. It doesn't matter that he only got to score 5 points, he was amazing at every aspect of the game. We made some easy baskets, got many open shots, we got creative from pick n' roll. When we had to play defense at the end, we did play amazing defense and got the victory. For sure Green made some big shots, I believe this player is going to prove himself in the future as well. We keep having a very good momentum and we need to continue lasting through the game. That's what we need in all 30 games. We need the players to be in good shape, mentally and physically. The thing is that Printezis did not score one point in 18 minutes, but others played. That's what we need, 12 players that are ready. That's important and that's what happened tonight".