Fought, but to no avail in Kaunas

Despite a huge effort, Olympiacos, coping with many and important absences (Printezis, Milutinov and Mantzaris), succumbed in Kaunas. He lost to Zalgiris 68-74, for the 15th day of the Euroleague.

With good defense and good shooting percentages from the perimeter, the 'reds' tried to impose their rhythm at the beginning of the game and got to lead by 5p. (12-7 at 4'). However, the hosts took advantage of the continuous turnovers our team was making and despite the effort by Ioannis Papapetrou, they succeeded in turning the game for them (22-19 at 10').

Jamel McLean dominated the post and gave the signal for the counter attack of our team, that got the lead at 13' (27-25) and from that point on was constantly leading up to the completion of the first half (36-38). The difference could have been wider, had Olympiacos not continued making constant turnovers (ten in the first half for four on the part of Zalgiris).

In the second half, the players of Sarunas Jasikevicius began the game stronger and took a three point lead (43-40 at 23'). Nevertheless, Olympiacos had an immediate reaction… With good defense, Hollis Thompson doing an excellent job at rebounding and Kostas Papanikolaou and Ioannis Papapetrou striking from behind the three point line, the 'reds' closed the third quarter leading by 5 (48-53).

Zalgiris' small ball created a problem for the 'reds' and allowed the hosts to lead with a 6-0 run (54-53 at 34'). Vasilis Spanoulis and Ioannis Papapetrou once again gave our team the lead (57-58 at 35'), however, the Lithuanians opened fire from the perimeter and with a partial 8-0 got a +7 lead (65-58 at 37').

The Sfairopoulos' players were not ready though to throw a white towel… They struck from the perimeter with Janis Strelnieks and Hollis Thompson and with 2 for 2 free throws by Spanoulis made a 3 point game (71-68) 34'' to the end. White made the score 73-68 following an offensive rebound and a dunk (14'' to the end), a missed three by Strelnieks and 1 for 2 free throws by Pangos shaped the final 74-68.  

The quarters: 22-19, 36-38, 48-53, 73-68

Ζalgiris (Jasikevicius): Davis 8, Pangos 14 (3), Τoupane, Jankunas 12, Milaknis 14(4), Micic 11(1), White 4, Kavaliauskas 6, Valinskas, Ulanovas 5(1).

Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): ΜcLean 9 (7reb., 2 as.), Τoliopoulos (1 as.), Papapetrou 13 (1), Spanoulis 10 (2 3p., 7 as.), Strelnieks 8 (1), Papanikolaou 11 (2), Roberts 5 (1), Bogris 2 (5 reb.), Wiltjer, Thompson 10 (2 3p., 8 reb., 2 as.).

"I have no complaints against my players"

A battle was lost, but not the war. That's the way Giannis Sfairopoulos got to deal with the loss in Lithuania, who knew - given the players missing from his roster - from the beginning that the mission he and his players were facing was extremely difficult… "We have had a very tough mission, because we were missing a lot of players that changed our basic line up a lot. However, all the players that were here did an excellent job playing against a good team that in addition was playing at home. We controlled the game for most of its part through our good defense. We took some open shots in the last quarter and should we had made them, we would have widened the difference for us, from the 5 points it was at the end of the 3rd quarter. Also, some bad choices, apart from the open shots, gave Zalgiris the chance to score some easy points. We did not abandon the game, we fought to the end, but I think that some open shots and the hesitation we showed when attacking, cost us. On one hand, we missed the chance to score and on the other we weren't as aggressive defensively as we should have been. That's the reason Zalgiris scored 26 points in the last quarter. That's as many points as they scored in both the 2nd and 3rd, that is a total of 20 minutes! I have no complaints against my players. They fought, we lost a game, we need to continue for the next game. Congratulations to Zalgiris for the victory".   

Asked about the reasons for the success the Lithuanians have had up to now, Giannis Sfairopoulos answered: "Zalgiris is a compact team. They have chemistry, they know what they are doing on the floor, they are very organized when playing, everyone has their role and they play as a team. These are the most important factors for their success".