Absolute dominance!
Olympiacos was exquisite against PAOK beating the Thessaloniki team 48-59 and is still top seed following 24 days into the STOIXIMAN.GR Basket League.
The Greek Champions were really impressive in terms of their offensive game in the first quarter and during that time they quickly sent the difference to double digits (26-16). Nothing changed in the second quarter either. The outlook was the same, Olympiacos continued speeding and with pluralism on both ends of the floor completed the first half at +20 (51-31).
The guests tried to react in the third quarter, closed in at 16, but that was as far as it went. The Sfairopoulos' players had complete control, played a spectacular game and the third quarter ended 67-49. In the last quarter, the 'reds' were incredible with their defense, stopped PAOK at ten points and the game ended 84-59.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 26-16, 51-31, 67-49, 84-59.
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Birch 4, Papapetrou 6 (6reb), Waters 5 (1), Printezis 12 (1), Spanoulis 12 (2 3p,5as), Young 4 (3reb), Τoliopoulos 3 (1), Αgravanis 7 (1 3p, 9reb), Μilutinov 12 (6reb), Papanikolaou 14 (1 3p, 2reb, 3as), Μantzaris 2 (3as), Αthinaiou 3 (1).
PAOK (Markopoulos): Sobey 6, Koniaris 6, Peiners 11, Clanton 2, Μargaritis 7 (1), Chrysikopoulos 2, Tsochlas 3 (1), McFadden 4, Glyniadakis 2, Karamanolis 2, Papadopoulos, Aska 14.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: "It was a good game for us today. We started with a lot of concentration on our defense and brought the game where we wanted it to be. We succeeded and stopped a very good team like PAOK at 59 points, PAOK is a team that if you allow it, they can play a style of basketball that is very difficult to deal with, especially in offense, however, we remained focused, did what we had to do, not only with our defense, but also with our offense, we scored a lot, got points from the fast break, while we also had good co-operations with the set game, moved the ball correctly and I think that we overall played a very good game. Good luck to PAOK, we wish to thank the fans that came to support us. We want them by our side at all times".
In regard to PAOK's style of defense, the 50 year old coach answered that «PAOK is indeed a team that closes in its post, allows the threes but we had good co-operations and did now allow them play their defensive game. Also, the way we played our offensive game, we passed the ball, moved it a lot and did not leave them room to play the style of defense they like. We put the ball in the basket both from the post as well as through good co-operations and fast-breaks. We did that playing our game and that's how we need to continue to play».
Asked about the performance of Patrick Young and Dimitris Agravanis, Giannis Sfairopoulos said «Everyone needs to understand that when they play, they need to give the max of their potential. The max for the team. Whoever comes on the floor, needs to play with passion and everything begins from our defense. Then, when playing offense, each one will be getting what comes for him through team co-operation. I think that Young is getting better, also Agravanis is in a good path. Papapetrou as well, I need to include Papapetrou to this, when they play with that kind of attitude, they are only going to be profiting from it. Because they are helping the team in the best way possible. All the players got to play, I want to stress that I count on everyone to be ready and give their best. That's what they need to be doing, just like when practicing".
Questioned about Nikos Galis entrance to the Hall of Fame, Giannis Sfairopoulos answered that «it's a great honor. Galis has left his mark on Greek basketball, not only when he has playing, but even now, it's a great honor for all Greeks to see Nikos Galis in the museum of basketball in Springfield. He's someone that we were all watching growing up, we watched him with his team and the nationsl team and his case is only good for Greek basketball, I hope to see many young guys join him in the same Hall of Fame».
VASILIS TOLIOPOULOS: «We wanted to react following the defeat to Anadolu Efes. We had talked about the game, PAOK is a very good team, we wanted to react, play very good defense and I think we did that for most part of the game. We want to continue this way. Work hard during the week and go to fight the game against CSKA Moscow.
Asked on whether he copied the his three-pointer from Vasilis Spanoulis, the Greek play maker said that "it's certain that Vasilis is a role model for many kids, he is also for me, and I definitely try to watch the way he plays, what he does with his game so I can try and assimilate some of his moves ".
SOULIS MARKOPOULOS: "Congratulations to Olympiacos for the performance and the victory. We did not play well at all today. Olympiacos is a very good team, one of the best in Europe, we knew we were going to have a tough mission. We weren't able to implement anything from what we had planned and are our game philosophy, Olympiacos' pressure did not allow us anything. We made rush decisions and that was the worst. We took off balance and out of plan shots. Olympiacos stole a lot of balls, made decisions on the open court and we lacked organized defense hence receiving a lot of easy points. We need to work as much as we can in the upcoming week and prepare the best we can for the next games and the play-offs".
ZANIS PEINERS: «We played against one of the best teams in Europe. They uncovered all of our weaknesses, we have also incorporated a couple of new players in the team, the game was on the road and this was simply not the right moment for us to play this game. We weren't ready».