«Bent» in Barcelona
Olympiacos was not able to maintain its perfect Euroleague record. Playing at lower standards than usual in Spain, lost in Barcelona 51-73.
Our team began strong and took a 6-0 lead. However, bad choices in the offense, combined with very good percentages for the hosts from the perimeter, brought the absolute balance in the game (14-14 at 10'). Giannis Sfairopoulos tried to "ruffle" things up and ordered for the ball to go into the post. Nevertheless, Olympiacos was still not getting into rhythm. On the contrary, the blaugrana took advantage of the consecutive turnovers made by the 'reds' and led by Seraphin - who dominated the post - got a 7 p. lead (23-16 at 15') and closed the first half leading 32-26.
A 6-0 streak for Olympiacos tied the game at 32 (23'), however, Barcelona "opened fire" from behind the 6.75 m. line and with a 11-0 streak made the score 43-34 at 25'. Vasilis Toliopoulos entering the game slightly shifted balance and our team approached at 4 p. (45-41 at 28'). However, it was somewhere at that point that the count down began… And that was because not only the 'reds' did not contain their mistakes, but they were almost preparing the offense for the players of Sito Alonso, who sent the difference to +19 (62-43 at 24'), while they even had a +22 margin (70-48).
The quarters: 14-14, 32-26, 49-41, 73-51.
Barcelona (Αlonso): Seraphin 13, Ribas 4, Pressey 6(2), Hanga 3, Navarro 3(1), Heurtel 6, Οriola 11(1), Sanders 7, Koponen 8(2), Claver, Tomic 4, Moerman 8(2).
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): ΜcLean 5, Τoliopoulos 4, Papapetrou 11, Αgravanis, Μilutinov 4 (6 reb.), Strelnieks, Printezis 5 (6 reb.), Papanikolaou 8 (4as), Mantzaris 2, Roberts 5(1), Bogris, Thompson 7.
"We did not do what we had talked about"
Our team's coach, Giannis Sfairopoulos, stressed: "We knew that Barcelona was going to be extra motivated, following previous bad results. We had discussed this with the players before the game and said that we should also be extra motivated and concentrated. Unfortunately, we did not do what we had talked about. We were passive. I think, that despite having kept the score at low standards for Barcelona in the first half, taking into account what they average, we played very bad in the offense throughout the game. We were not thinking clearly, did not read the game properly, were not determined when attacking and this led to 21 turnovers. And this makes it impossible to give you a chance at winning against such a good team".
«This should make us more determined...»
Ioannis Papapetrou commented on the reasons for the bad performance: "We were not ready for this game. And I don't mean that we had not prepared the game, but rather that we weren't mentally prepared. We lost most battles; we lost the rebounds and made many turnovers. We had more turnovers than assists. I think that all of these are a thing of readiness and focus. It's a thing of mental agility. When you come to play a road game, it doesn't matter if your opponent has lost five games in a row. It's always going to be difficult to win".
And he went on to say: "This defeat needs to make us more determined. Make us play better basketball and not show this image again. Mainly for us that fight and sweat everyday on the floor and for our fans, because this not the image we wish to project. We'll see our mistakes as a team and get better".
There is not time for … tears, since on Sunday the team is going to be playing against Aris at the "Nick Gallis Hall", to qualify for the Greek Cup final. "We have a very important game ahead, that's why we need to leave the loss to Barcelona behind us right away. You can never celebrate too much about a victory, neither contemplate defeat a lot, because these are not the games that bring titles. We definitely want to win every game, but if we let it get to us and lose on Sunday, then things are going to be worse. I don't know how much time we have to work on the game against Aris. Because, I have to repeat it, the game on Sunday is really important and we need to prepare. But we are definitely going to analyze our mistakes as a team and as individuals".
Asked about the next European game against Panathinaikos at the SEF, the international forward answered: "The game against Panathinaikos follows the one against Aris and we are focused on the Cup game. From there on, it's definitely going to be important. We lost the first game we played for the League. But this time, we are going to have our fans by our side. We hope they come and support us and win another game for the Euroleague".