Yes Olympiacos, yes!!!
Olympiacos bested Anadolu Efes, won the series 3-2 and qualified for the Istanbul Final Four.
This is the sixth time since 2009 and the 12th in total that Olympiacos has secured participating a Final Four. Now they are facing CSKA Moscow for the tournament semifinals. The game had a better start for Olympiacos, especially in the offense, since the 'reds' were leading 25-21 at the end of the first quarter. Spanoulis, just like in the whole of the series, was unstoppable and hence was leading his company in the first quarter. In the second one, productivity in offense was lacking, lack of concentration in defense was a problem and Efes, making some 'crazy' shots as well, was leading 37-41 at half time.
The beginning of the third quarter however, was what it needed to be. Olympiacos playing basketball at its best succeeded in running a partial 10-0, taking a 47-41 lead and never looking back after that. The 'reds' had complete control of the game and were leading 63-58 at the end of the third quarter. In the last one, the Sfairopoulos' team was playing great defense and never allowed Efes to substantially challenge the game. Spanoulis and Printezis were all over the offensive game of the their team, Green and Papapetrou added up on that and Papanikolaou with Mantzaris put an end to the aspirations of the Turkish team and 11.000 people was ecstatic on the stands over the qualification of the top team in Europe for the last decade in yet another Final Four.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 25-21, 37-41, 63-58, 87-78
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Green 10 (1), Birch 9 (11 reb.), Young 3, Papapetrou 8 (2), Spanoulis 22 (2), Waters, Αgravanis 1, Μilutinov 8, Printezis 14 (1), Papanikolaou 8, Mantzaris 4.
Αnadolu Efes (Perasovic): Τhomas 10 (2), Honeycutt 10 (2), Balbay, Brown 10, Osman 11 (1), Granger 10, Heurtel 10, Paul 9 (3), Dunston 4, Κirk 4.
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: "On the day of great joy for our team, speaking on behalf of all the players, the members of the staff and all those with the team, we would like to dedicate the qualification to the memory of Ioanna Angelopoulos" the Olympiacos coach originally said.
On the play offs performances: «It was a very tough series against a very good team. Efes, after February in particular, was playing very well and won most of its games. We fought for the home court from the beginning and we did it. We began the series with a great game, but then Efes showed its quality and took home court advantage for themselves. The most important game for us was the fourth one, because we were with our backs against the wall. We tried to change the momentum of the game in the third one, but we weren't able to. We showed our character in the fourth game. Everyone played with courage and put in great effort to win back home court. The fifth game was a tough battle. Efes, despite our good start, reacted and took a lead at half time. We did not score enough in the second quarter, which had an impact on our defense and we received 41 points in the first half. It was very important that we talked with the players at half time. I tried to encourage them so as to play more aggressive defense. The beginning of the second half was very important, because we put out a lot of energy and scored easy baskets. We took the lead with a partial 8-0 and we played much better defense in the second half, when we scored 50 points and received 37. Up to the end, the game was open to any result and we made good decisions in the last couple of minutes, made some critical shots and got the difference that gave us the victory».
On the players: «Congratulations to all the players, they gave their max and deserved to go to the Final Four. Congratulations to all the staff members, who have worked hard to have the team ready. I would like to thank all the fans who came here and supported us. They gave us a boost to winning and we need them at the gym at all times, we need to have a tough home court and them to be our sixth player».
On the goal for the Final Four «I can only say that we are happy to be going, but we are going there to fight for our chances. Nothing is over yet».
On the steady Greek basic Olympiacos line up: «It's a success for our Presidents, this successful philosophy is their personal achievement. They keep a basic roster and they build on it. The credid belongs to them. When you have a basic roster, you can get re-enforced. The Presidents have been keeping players that have quality and experience. All these seasons, winning the Euroleague and the Champioship, they are great experiences for the players. You have seen how much experience Papapetrou has garnered with the team at such a young age. I try to incorporate Greek players into the frame of the administrations' philosophy».
On whether the compilation of the Final Four is fair: «For me, there shouldn't be a Final Four. When you play such a tough 30 game tournament, you should not be playing the play-offs, but rather go directly to the Final Four. This is my opinion. I think however that it's only fair that these four teams have made the Final Four. Olympiacos has had a very consistent course, we won some big games on the road, we also lost some games that we shouldn't have lost, but it was a tough course in the long run and you only get what you deserve».
GIORGOS PRINTEZIS: «We only deserve to be in the Final Four. We have been consistent, serious and managed tough situations well. The play-offs have been five games of players, coaches and great personalities. The whole season matters a lot. It was great that we ended third seed, but then you look at the next target.
We did not make the play-offs last season and that hurt us a lot. The level of fatigue is huge right now. We need to have a clear head, less anxiety, and give our best selves. The fact that the games are going to be held in Istanbul brings back beautiful memories, but these are more for the fans and the reporters. We are going there to give our best and hopefully we can win the trophy. The team is just that, a team. Everyone has a role in it and this is our guiding light. We are an experienced team».
VANGELIS MANTZARIS: «I think that last year's failure made us more determined, we showed character and we were consistent. We made third seed against teams that had the double our triple budget in comparison to ours. We turned the series around from 2-1 against us in the play-offs. We were all together. We celebrated securing the Final Four. We are very proud and happy
In recent years we have built a certain 'metal', a certain winning mentality. We never give up. We proved to have character, we have come back from tough spots. It would be good if we didn't get to suffer …heart attacks, but that's sports… I wish we can go even higher. The first time is going to always be that, I will always remember it. The first time, Spanoulis told us "it's your first Final Four and it may be the last. We gave it all, and we have still made it three more times. I wish there are more. The Final Four is still a long way from today. We need some rest; we have the Greek League play-offs we need to play. Together we can move forward, not just to exist, but to do something good».
VELIMIR PERASOVIC: «I would like to congratulate Olympiacos on qualifying. They played very strong and smart. I think we played very well in the first two quarters, when we were feeling very comfortable, but I think the game was decided in the beginning of the third quarter. I think that the refs were very hard on us, especially with our big guys. They were calling fouls very easily. This happened in both the last two games of the series. This has not to do with Olympiacos, they always play on borderline fouling, but the refs were just calling fouls on us very easily».