A comfortable victory at Trikala
Olympiacos easily bested Trikala 98-73 for the 16th day of the STOIXIMAN.GR Basket League and is now focusing on the Greek Cup Final against AEK (17/02) to claim the first title of the year!
Our team imposed the rhythm from the start and got to lead 13-4, while she was leading by 10 at 7' (23-13). The hosts "struck" from the perimeter and closed in initially at 5p. (19-24 at 10') and then at 4' (27-31 at 16'). The Olympiacos answer however was immediate… Good defense and a partial 17-4 sent the difference to 17p. (31-48 at 19').
The first half was concluded with Trikala closing in at 33-48, whoever, the victory had been already decided. The Takianos' team, that came with only 7 players to the game due to a series of administrative problems, did not have the strength to fight for something more. At the same time, Olympiacos, by simply maintaining strength, increased the distance even further (24p., 41-65). Nevertheless, our team's defense "slackened" in the fourth quarter and the hosts closed in at 14p. (66-80, at 35'). That was it though… The 'reds' stepped on the gas pedal and took the difference back to 25p. (71-96, at 39'). Despite Olympiacos having had the chance to score 100 or even surpass them in the last offensive play, Giannis Sfairopoulos instructed his players not to attack and the final score was 73-98.
The quarters: 19-24, 33-48, 57-74, 73-98
Τrikala (Τakianos): Lountzis 7, Slaftsakis 7(1), Skouloudis 3, Τataris 6(2), Fields 17, Tames 21(5), Jones 12(2).
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Spanoulis 3 (5 as), Μilutinov 20 (18 reb, 5 st, 2 as), Printezis 15 (9 reb), Papanikolaou 17(1), Μantzaris 3(13p., 7 as), ΜcLean 8, Papapetrou 16(1 3p., 7 reb), Strelnieks, Roberts 5(1), Bogris, Wiltjer, Τhompson 11(1).
"Offensive rebounds and assists speak for the players' disposition"The Olympiacos coach, Giannis Sfairopoulos, stressed: "We played a good game today, with offensive plurality. Despite not shooting well from the perimeter, we still scored 98 points. We had good percentages with twos, we had moments when we ran the floor as we wanted. We moved the ball, had good cooperations and made good choices. We had some very good moments with our defense and some blank periods as well. It's only logical when the margin broadens, that you lose some concentration. Trikala are a combative team. We got a wide margin at the end of the first quarter and from that point on it was only natural for the game to go like it did. I need to mention the 22 offensive rebounds and the 32 assists. They are numbers that prove of the players' disposition. I wish Trikala the best ".
"I don't care about the record"
Νikola Milutinov finished the game with a double double (20p. and 18 rebounds) which are a personal record with the reds' jersey. "I don't care about the record. The only thing I care about is for the team to win and that we play even better in each upcoming game. I would like to congratulate Trikala, because, despite playing with only 7 players, they fought. We now have three days to prepare for the final. We want the Greek Cup but it's not going to be easy. AEK is a very good team. Defense is going to be the key for this , just like with any other one", the Serbian center said.
Janis Strelnieks talked about the particulars of the game. "Such games are not easy, when you know that your opponent has problems and lacks players. You try to focus, but at some point you lose it. We had rotation available and it was easier given that our opponent got tired. We keep the victory and nothing more". Talking about the final, he said: "The team that is going to win the trophy is the one that will want it the most. They have beaten us once this year and they are certainly not afraid of us. As for our team, we have a chance to play our best game and celebrate a title". Asked on whether defense is going to be the key, he replied: "Defense is important, but we need to score. I think that rebounds are going to be a key, especially offensive ones. Because when you get second chances, usually the opposing defense collapses".
Ιoannis Papapetrou commented: "It's tough to find motivation in games like that. We won easily. Trikala made their effort and it was a given that even if they only had four players, they would fight to the end. We got what we wanted and we move on. The team is at a good point. We have been playing a lot better. The final is a different game and we are going to be ready… We want the Cup. Let's not forget that we haven't won it for years. We need to be serious and give all we have for the victory". Asked on whether defense is going to be the key to the game, he replied: "You cannot only play defense. It's not American football where other play defense, and other play offense. You need to do both".