Succumbed to details and Zalgiris
Despite a huge effort, Olympiacos did not succeed in completing the Euroleague Regular Season with a victory. The 'reds' lost to Zalgiris at the SEF by one (85-86), in a game played without Giorgos Printezis, Kostas Papanikolaou, Jamel McLean and Kim Tillie.
Olympiacos' aggressive defense (that led the Lithuanians to back to back turnovers and bad choices in the offense), combined with the offensive prowess of Vassilis Spanoulis and Hollis Thompson, allowed the 'reds' to 'build' a +15 difference at just 9' (23-8). The Sfairopoulos' players steadily maintained the difference to double digits up to 16' (32-22), however, Zalgiris (that dominated rebounding in the second quarter), closed in at 7p. (34-27, at 18'). The 'reds' were quick to reply though. They … opened fire from the three point arc (Papapetrou, Strelnieks and Brown) and widened the margin to +14 (43-29), while the end of the first half found them leading by +12 (43-31).
Our team maintained complete control up to 17' (16p., 59-43). However, it suffered an offensive black out next and gave Zalgiris the chance to come back with a 15-0 streak (59-58 at 31'). Despite fatigue and line ups out of need (due to the many key absentees), Olympiacos succeeded in continuing leading (71-69 at 36'). With a partial 5-0 Zalgiris got to lead for the first time in the game at 37' (74-71). The guests found themselves leading by 4 (76-80 at 39'), however the Sfairopoulos' players had the mental reserves to react… Good defense and four consecutive points in the post (by Milutinov and Wiltjer) sent the game to overtime.
Scoring was scarce in the extra five minutes, however, Zalgiris leading by 4 (84-80 with 1:32 on the clock), seemed to be the favorite for the win. But Olympiacos did not give up… Milutinov made 2/2 free throws and after 1/2 by Brown, Wiltjer got the offensive rebound, scored and the board wrote 85-84, with 8'9'' to the end. Ulanovas missed his shot for Zalgiris, however, Jankunas wrote the final 86-8, 2'9'' before the buzzer. Giannis Sfairopoulos called for a time out and Olympiacos had the chance to 'steal' the victory at the end, however, Spanoulis' open long distance three did not find the target.
The quarters: 25-10, 43-31, 59-56, 80-80 Overtime: 85-86
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Brown 4(1), Papapetrou 9(2), Spanoulis 16 (6 as.), Μilutinov 15 (9 reb.), Strelnieks 8(1), Mantzaris 4, Roberts 12(3), Bogris, Wiltjer 9, Thompson 8 (7 reb.).
Ζalgiris (Jasikevicius): Davis 18 (6 reb.), Pangos 6 (6 as.), Τoupane 6, Udrih 6 (8 as.), Jankunas 15, Masiulis, Μilaknis 8 (2), Micic 5, White 7, Kavaliauskas 4, Ulanovas 11 (2).
«Decided at details»
Giannis Sfairopoulos commented: "Congratulations to Zalgiris for the victory. The game was a derby at the end of both the regulations as well as of the prorogation. Small details, a rebound, a bad defense, a poor offense, decided the game. We tried for the best with the roster at hand. It was obvious that we were lacking people in the post and we had problems with rebounding and defense. I hope that the injured players are back for next practice, look at the shape they are in and work all together so we are ready for the play offs".
About those who played tonight, he pointed out: "Everyone tried to help the team. We had a very good time in the beginning, especially defensive wise, we did not follow through however and lost a big margin in three minutes. The team has the roster, but I want to be able to have all my weapons on the floor. I don't think we did not play well. It was a special situation game. Tell me which team will be missing four big players and will still win. When you have home court advantage secured, you definitely aren't as motivated, but we weren't either indifferent or relaxed. Papanikolaou has been off for four weeks now, Printezis for two, McLean and Tillie were off. When you miss four players, what is there that the coach or the players that get to play are supposed to do? The options are limited. We tried to win and lost at details with all those people missing. We were also missing Printezis in Kaunas, as well as Mantzaris and Milutinov. That's why I hope the injured players get back. We have two Greek League games to play and we need to take advantage of that".
«Home court advantage is very important»
Zalgiris' coach, Sarunas Jasikevicius, pointed out: "I'm very happy with this victory, against a very good team. We did not play well in the first half, but my players found the strength to react and their performance allowed the team to win. Home court advantage is important, especially for teams that have a strong fan base and put pressure on the opponent. This advantage is very important to Olympiacos and I think they will be exploiting it to the best of their abilities. It's very hard to win in courts like that of Olympiacos' or Panathinaikos or Red Star. It's a great advantage. I told my team that I'm not very experienced with the play-offs. Last season I was wondering about some of my players. This season they are much more combative. We found ourselves in a tough spot many times during the season and got to react. It's not going to be easy to do the same in the play-offs. My team understands that they can beat anyone and they have done so, but we shall have to be very careful with the details".