A loss at the ΟΑΚΑ
Olympiacos fought at the OAKA, but did not pull through. They lost to Panathinaikos 61-68, for the 14th day of the STOIXIMAN.GR Basket League.
Playing superb defense and led by Vasilis Spanoulis and Giorgos Printezis, the 'reds' got to build a difference of 10p. at 5' (13-3). Following the same recipe they broadened the margin even more (11p., 20-9), against a Panathinaikos that up to 9' was exclusively scoring from the charity line! The Sfairopoulos' players were steadily leading the game (15-25 at 13'), despite the fact that the hosts continued frequenting the free throw line. Despite all of the above, Olympiacos held on to the Panathinaikos counter attack and went to the locker rooms leading 30-32.
The fact that our big players, McLean and Milutinov, were early on counting four fouls each (each one was currying the burden since 22', while Milutinov was fouled out at 32', only seconds re-entering the floor), created a huge defensive problem for our team. Panathinaikos exploited the situation, closing the 3rd period leading 50-48, while they got to lead by +9 for the first time at 34' (65-56, at 37'). Despite the lack of strength and solutions, our team continued fighting (65-60 at 38'), however, was not able to turn the game in its favor.
The quarters: 11-20, 30-32, 50-48, 68-61
Panathinaikos (Pasqual): Denmon, Gist 6, Gabriel 1, Calathes 9, Singletton 6 , Rivers 16(3), Pappas 5, Vougioukas 6, Lekavicius 12(2), Mitoglou 7(1).
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Spanoulis 10(1), Μilutinov 3, Printezis 13 (12 reb.), Papanikolaou 11 (2), Μantzaris 5, ΜcLean 9, Strelnieks 1, Roberts 4, Bogris, Wiltjer 3, Τhompson 2.
"The result was decided by the refs"
The Olympiacos coach, Giannis Sfairopoulos, stated: "Tonight's result is clearly decided by the refs. We made a very good start. Panathinaikos only scored a couple of twos in the first quarter. They weren't able to score during the first 4-5 minutes and that's when we saw the refs sending them to the free throw line and hence keeping them in the game. This continued into the second quarter but did not end there. McLean had three fouls from quarter one, Milutinov three by half time. Our big guys were incapacitated due to fouls. We kept up for as long as we could. We were leading at half time. In the third quarter, we watched Mr. Piloidis entering the equation apart from Mr. Panagiotou and Mr. Anastopoulos. I think that the way we fought the game, having the refs making calls with totally different criteria, it's only normal to have this result. If you take a look at the numbers, we were leading for most of the time. Panathinaikos was not good tonight, they only made 2 or 3 shots. It's only logical when they have the help of the refs to be able to get into rhythm in two or three minutes. When they were leading with a sufficient safety, we got to see the refs calling a couple of plays in our favor as well, to murk the waters ".
Asked on the number of free throws his team executes when playing the Euroleague, he replied: "So you mean Panathinaikos is shooting less free throws? Because I saw the coach of the visiting team complaining about the refs here at OAKA". When he was asked to comment on why the refs would be playing such a major role since the game had no real ranking importance, he said: "Imagine what will be happening when the games are going to matter". On whether it's an insult to Panathinaikos to claim that the refs decided the game, he clarified: "No, it's not an insult. I respect Panathinaikos and I have proven that with my behavior all the years I'm with Olympiacos. So please do not electrify the atmosphere. I respect Panathinaikos, I respect its coach, I respect all the executives on the team".
Analyzing the performance of his players and the reasons for the recent substandard performances, he pointed out: "Panathinaikos was trapped by our defense. They lacked creation, 9 assists, 10 turnovers at home. We are certainly at a place where we haven't been playing well, because some players are worn out because others have not been playing due to injuries. They are fatigued and not in shape. I have explained this many times over and I expect a lot more from more players. Tonight everyone fought and we all tried. I know we will be playing better when everyone has a chance to rest and get back in shape. When we had a roster of 16 players, and then we got to be around with 10 and then with 9, you can only understand that those 9 went through a huge ordeal. Those that have returned are not yet in rhythm. For example, Milutinov, who hadn't been playing for a month? He's still not in shape and it's only logical. As long as were fresh, we could cover for the injured. However, too many games have taken us out of shape. However, tonight I saw a team that tried, that played a good game. Not excellent, but a good game. It's not easy to play at the OAKA. Panathinaikos is a very good team, with a very good roster, a good coach and you cannot play well in front of their fans. It's not random that only very few teams have won here. Our effort is not to be dismissed, however, it's not enough either. I think we can play better. When everyone gets back in shape, then the team will be back to how it was up to January 5. Let's not forget that up to that point, Olympiacos was ranking first with the Euroleague. We would be playing the League finals not having the home court advantage and we had qualified for the Cup Final. We are still contenders for all three goals".
"They are playing with our intelligence and effort"
Kostas Papanikolaou stressed: "Congratulations to all the players, we made a tremendous effort. From that point on, unfortunately there are people associated to Greek basketball that play with our intelligence, our sweat, our effort. What can we do? We have to continue the same way and fight against everyone and everything. It's a pity. There are players on this team that have strived for the National Team shirt, we have strived for Greece, for Greek basketball, in order to bring success to this country and it's a pity for them to mess with our intelligence and our work and not allow us to enjoy a sport that we love, that we've been playing since we were kids and that we try to offer to. We made a huge step forward on the floor. We fought to the end and played just like we want to be playing according to this team's DNA. It's a good start for us to continue fighting because the road is very long and the season as well".
On whether this situation has had an impact on the players and whether it's easy for them to remain focused following a loss that derived from officiating decisions, he replied: "It's tough, but we have a coaching team and a head coach that tries to always keep us focused. But, just like I said before, I'm going to say it again, it's ugly for people to mess with our intelligence. It's not professional and it's not within the sporting spirit".
On his part, Giorgos Printezis, stated: "I have never commented on the officiating, however, what I can probably say is that each team that loses a game, does some self reflecting. That's what the refs should be doing as well. They need to be doing their jobs better, because, for better or for work, they play a huge role in these games. Everyone should be getting better for the shake of the sport ".