Returning to victories

Olympiacos had the proper reaction following the defeat in Milan, beat Bamberg at the Peace and Friendship Stadium 83-77 and now ranks alone at the third place of the Euroleague RS with a record of 14-6. Khem Birch, with a double-double (15p, 14 reb.) was the MVP for the 'reds'.

Olympiacos began the game in an impressive fashion, especially in defense and succeeded leading 24-13 at the end of the first quarter. Next, the Greek champions, with Spanoulis, Papanikolaou and Birch playing a great game, maintained two digit differences throughout the second quarter and half time was 41-32 for the hosts.

Birch and Spanoulis continued doing a great job in the third quarter as well. Lojeski offered solutions in offense, the same with Waters and despite Printezis not playing (due to a last minute problem in the lower back), faced no problems maintaining an approximate ten points margin (65-56 at 30').

Nevertheless, the Germans turned the game around in the fourth quarter and even made a two points game (71-69), but from that point on, Olympiacos showed yet once again why they are among the best teams in Europe. Running an initial 6-0, they made the score 77-71 and from that point on the 83-77 victory came rather easily.

THE POINTS
The quarters: 24-13, 41-32, 65-56, 83-77.
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Green 4, Birch 15 (14reb), Young, Papapetrou 6 (5reb), Spanoulis 15 (6as), Waters 7, Αgravanis 3, Milutinov 2, Papanikolaou 12 (2reb, 1 3p), Mantzaris 6 (2 3p, 3reb, 2as), Lojeski 13 (1 3p, 3reb).
Bamberg (Trinchieri): Causeur 12, Μeli 14 (1), Zisis 13, Staiger, Theis 2, Lo 2, Strelnieks 12 (2), Veremenko 3, Miller 13 (1), McNeal, Heckmann, Radosevic 6.

THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS:  "It was an important victory for us. We were coming from a bad loss, but our reaction was great. We improved a lot with defense, which was our main problem during our previous game and this improvement was the key to win. Although we began the game well, we allowed easy points in the second half and they scored 45, but I can say we forced them to play a different game than what they are used to play. They play with quick movement of the ball looking for open shots, but we interfered with that speed tonight and did not allow many threes. We deserved to win since we were leading for most of the game and we were in control. It's important that we had a good reaction to the problem with Printezis, who suffered a muscle spasm and we decided to not use him. Congrats to my players for their focus and to our fans for their support. Each game is important and none is easy. The more we advance towards to the end, the more crucial each game becomes and that's why we need our fans. I want to see the gym full again".  

ANDREA TRINCHIERI:  "Congrats to Olympiacos and to coach Sfairopoulos. It was a tough game with a lot of contact and it's difficult to always have to play back to back games. We had a chance at winning, but we did not pull through. We were expecting for Olympiacos to lose some of their energy and to attack back, we came back into the game, but made some stupid mistakes and lost rebounds that cost us. Maybe this was also due to small line-ups we used so as to have more mobility. We move on".

KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU:  "We did most of the things we had said we would do in the first half, but not in the third quarter as well. Nevertheless, we were who we were supposed to be at the end and got an important victory. Bamberg is a good team, that has worked very well, that plays an attractive style of basketball. We succeeded in containing them and winning. We wanted to react following the defeat in Milan. There is still a long way to go. You can be first and you can be eighth. We are only looking as far as the next game".

DOMINC WATERS:  "It was an important victory for us, against a very good team. Defense gave us the victory. We coped very well with their style of playing, despite some blank periods, but this is only normal. We have had a nasty loss in Milan, but we probed into our mistakes, rested well and made it. I personally feel blessed to be with Olympiacos, I've been adjusting better and better every day and I come smiling to work".

NIKOS ZISIS:  "The game was as expected. Olympiacos came in strong and took us out of rhythm. They were coming from a tough loss. We reacted, returned to the game, played better basketball and showed our talent. The game was decided by the offensive rebounds Olympiacos gathered and some mistakes we made, some missed shots. Coach had insisted on psychology. We knew Olympiacos was coming from a tough loss and tradition was in our favor, but they made a very strong start that threw us off. Olympiacos is in a very good ranking spot and it's up to them to make the top four teams. They are experienced and they have the roster to take them to the Final Four, should they remain healthy. I think Panathinaikos is going to make the first eight places, and then anything is possible, they need to find chemistry because they have a good team".