Defeated and disqualified
Olympiacos lost to Zalgiris 91-101 and will not be making the Belgrade F4. Giorgos Printezis did not play in the fourth game due to injury.
Relying on its dominance with rebounding, as well as good perimeter percentages (mainly that of Pangos), Zalgiris imposed the rhythm in the beginning and got to lead by 8p. (21-13, at 7'). The entrance of Ioannis Papapetrou in the game, allowed the 'reds' to balance the situation with rebounding. At the same time, pressure in the defense and pluralism in the offense, produced a partial 9-2 for the 'reds' that closed in at one point (23-22) at the end of the first quarter.
Olympiacos remained close to the score up until 13' (29-27). However, they then faced serious problems on both ends of the floor. At the same time, the Lithuanians 'opened fire' from the three point line and sent the margin to +17p. (46-29, at 17'). The end of the first half found Zalgiris at +14 (51-37).
The 'reds' put pressure in the defense and tried to shrink the difference (59-48). Nevertheless, Zalgiris took advantage of the new offensive black out of our team, 'struck' both from the three point line as well as from inside the post and broadened the distance (23p., 76-53, at 28').
The Sfairopoulos players refused to give up and with Janis Strelnieks and Kyle Wiltjer leading the offense closed in at 12p. (83-71, at 34'). Mainly scoring from the free throws line, Zalgiris went to +15p. (91-76, at 37'). Olympiacos continued putting pressure all over the floor and closed in at 7p. (93-86, with 40'' to the end), however, the officiating sealed qualification for Zalgiris, that kept scoring only from the free throws line till the end of the game.
The quarters: 23-22, 51-37, 78-56, 101-91
Ζalgiris Kaunas (Jasikevicius): Davies 9, Pangos 21 (2), Τoupane 11 (1), Udrih 4, Jankunas 8 (1), Sajus, Μilaknis 3 (1), Μicic 9 (3), White 8 (2), Κavaliauskas 7, Valinskas 1, Ulanovas 20 (3 3p., 9reb.).
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): ΜcLean 8, Papapetrou 4, Spanoulis 19 (2), Μilutinov 3, Strelnieks 17 (2), Τillie 3 (1), Papanikolaou 15 (1), Μantzaris, Roberts 10 (2), Wiltjer 12 (2).
THE QUOTES
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «Congratulations to Zalgiris for the qualification to the Final Four. They played better throughout the series and deserved to qualify. The first game was very important, when we lost home court, which we had been fighting for, for the past nine months. It was difficult to fight in this atmosphere against such an exquisite team. We tried, but we didn't make it. There was a reason for it and it's not excuse. We have had too many problems with injuries. We played two Greek League games before the playoffs and did not have the injured players available. Those games could have been a good test in view of the playoffs, but unfortunately, we weren't able to prepare as we ought to have. We also had to deal with the injuries of Milutinov and Bogris in the first game. All these messed with our chemistry and the roles within the team and of course we could not have been in shape following all of the above" the 'reds' coach stated at first and continued "I don't have any complaints from my players and especially from those who although injured playing on their own accord after using injections. The sacrificed for the team. The most important part of the season are the playoffs, you need to be ready to have any luck. We weren't lucky, we have had too many injuries and all of that had an impact. We had good chances to win the first game, but the injuries did not allow us to fight. They played much better and they deserve this qualification. They were good not only now but throughout the season. Good luck to Zalgiris».
VASSILIS SPANOULIS: "Of course Zalgiris deserved to go to the Final 4. The system is just, they were in better shape than us. We have done the same before. This time Zalgiris played better. In a best of five series, the best team wins at all times. We failed our goal, which was to go to the F4. It's a tough moment and it's going to take us time to absorb it. I don't like looking for excuses, but injuries definitely played a role. Each season is weird and you need luck and good timing. Unfortunately, we have been dealing with injuries from the start. We are a big team and we always find the solution. We didn't find it this time. We disappointed ourselves and the fans that believed in us.
Now, I don't know about circles closing or opening. We can't be talking about that after this loss. We succeeded to go to the Final Four in 2012 after 15 years time. Zalgiris did it after 19 years. There is a first time for everyone. The timing must be right. Zalgiris's momentum is such that they would be beating anyone right now. They deserve the credit.
I have learned to be proud. We need to introspect and move on. This team has succeeded on so many levels these past few years. We need to regroup, because we have one more goal ahead of us. It's definitely a sad moment. But this is life and this is sports. We need to leave that behind.
Saras has been doing a very good job with Zalgiris. They all work together to have a very good team. They were better than us and beat us.
We have one more goal to go after. We'll see what happens when the time comes. The team needs to collect its pieces. The team is a hospital, it's not only the injuries that you write about, there are more we deal with. The team needs to pull together".