Losing to details in Moscow
Olympiacos lost 90-86 in Moscow to the European Champion CSKA and is now getting ready for the play-off battles against Anadolu Efes.
The Regural Season of the Euroleague is complete, Olympiacos finished on third seed and is now facing off Anadolu Efes for the play-offs aiming to the Istanbul Final - Four.
The Greek champs began the game with no real defensive focus resulting in CSKA Moscow scoring 25 points in the first quarter and hence leading with two digit marks (25-15) at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Piraeus team found a lot of offensive solutions, improved their defense, but the Russians continued shooting on the mark with half time ending 47-37. However, it was more than certain that our team was going to react. And that's what happened. With Vasilis Spanoulis leading, the Sfairopoulos' team playing an amazing game in the third quarter had even a two point game and third quarter ended with the hosts leading 71-63.
In the last ten minutes, Olympiacos made the final counter-attack, Spanoulis reached 16 points, and the 'reds' made the score 79-76 at 37'. Two minutes before the end, the difference was at three points (81-78). Papapetrou tied the game at 81 points with a three from downtown, while Teodosic answered back with a goal-foul one minute before the end, making the score 84-81. Papapetrou made another three to make the score 86-84, after the hosts were leading with 2 free throws by Higgins. The 'reds' tried for the big upset, however, the hosts were making all their free throws and the game ended 90-86.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 25-15, 47-37, 71-63, 90-86
CSKA Moscow (Ιtoudis): De Colo 23 (2), Τeodosic 23 (3), Augustine, Fritzon 4 (1), Jackson, Antonov, Freeland, Vorontsevic 11 (1), Higgins 12, Khryapa 2, Kurbanov 5 (1), Hines 10.
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Birch 2, Young 4, Τoliopoulos, Papapetrou 16 (4), Spanoulis 16 (1 3p, 7as), Waters, Αgravanis 7 (5reb), Milutinov 4, Printezis 12 (7reb), Papanikolaou 13 (1 3p, 4reb, 3as), Mantzaris 12 (2 3p, 4as).
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: It was a high level game between two great teams, a traditional Euroleague game. They began the game well and found easy scoring. We had problems concentrating on our defense. We did not begin well and allowed them to score 17 points in five minutes. That was the most important thing in the game. We tried to improve our defense later on, especially in the beginning of the second half. CSKA was scoring much harder than in the beginning. We made some distant shot and closed in and then tied the game. When the score was tied at 81 points, we lost an important defensive rebound and then they led 86-81 due to making their free throws. It was a good game between two great teams. We are now focusing on the play-offs. The regular season is over following 30 games. We want to put the injured players back with the team. Before the games against Efes begin, we have two important games for the Greek League since we want to finish first in the regular season. Congratulations to CSKA and good luck".
Giannis Sfairopoulos also talked for the Greek TV following the Press Conference "We can say that we are happy with the fact that we have home court advantage. We have worked hard the whole year to win that, it was our second goal after qualifying for the play-offs and we now have to prepare with a lot of concentration and clarity for every detail entailing the play-offs that are coming and are going to decide a lot in regard to whether the season will be a successful one or not" the Greek coach said at first on how the season has evolved up to now.
He was then asked on whether he keeps the character shown by the team during the season as an asset and he said "definitely so. Winning third place with so many players missing during the season means that you do have built a character, that Olympiacos is a team of many, we have distinguished roles, we have Spanoulis as our leader, we have many experienced players that have played for years in this competition, like Printezis, Papanikolaou and Mantzaris, we see the young Greek guys following and getting incorporated in this key roster and what's left is for us to be healthy for the critical games that are coming".
As for whether the game against CSKA Moscow was a good rehearsal in view of the play-offs, the Greek coach was clear "Yes, it was a good rehearsal, except for the beginning which was not good for us. We played much better on both ends of the floor following the time out and came back in the game. At the end, details decided the game. Each detail though is important. However, before we get to play Efes, we have two very crucial games for the Greek League in order to win first place in the regular season. As for Efes, nothing has changed. We were expecting to see who we were playing, we were not making calculations. I don't want to look at what others are doing, we are only looking at our team. In regard to Efes, they are a very good team, we know them, we have played them three times this season, including a friendly game. There is no easy game with the Euroleague. They are a good team and I don't want for anyone to believe that we are going to have an easy task. We need the fans on our side, I want them to pack our Stadium and provide a tough home court. It's almost certain that we are not going to be having Matt with us in the first games, but everyone is doing their best to cover for him. We want to be healthy, for Green and Lojeski to come back, we want everyone ready and in good shape so as to give their best for this fight".
VANGELIS MANTZARIS: "If you take out the first five minutes, when we did not play good defense, I think that responded well after that, went to a high score and remained in the game in a tough court. We tied the game three minutes before the end, but as I said before, all these games are decided by details. A rebound lost, a goal-foul we received that sent us trailing by 5. That's what decided the game. I think we showed we deserved third seed. We won tough games in tough courts. We certainly played bad games as well. In a course of 30 games, it's only logical that fatigue plays a role. We are not machines. We are proud for what we have done. Now, we just erase all that and only hold on to the home court advantage that gives us 52% at qualifying and nothing more. We are playing against a talented and very dangerous team like Efes. They are among the most talented teams in the Euroleague, they can 'kill' anyone. It's not just Granger, it's Heurtel as well and many more that we need to keep out of rhythm just like we did in the game in our gym".
DIMITRIS ITOUDIS: "I can't say that we were nervous, but we were competitive as always. We were playing a strong team with great aspirations, just like ours. Congratulations to my players. The important thing is we got what we wanted, we have home court advantage and we are going to the play-offs. Many games in a row, many flights and traveling make our work even harder, but we need to move on. The play-offs are going to be tough. We need to remain healthy; this is what I wish for. I with to thank the fans for being great and we hope they continue supporting us in the play-offs".