An easy qualification against Holargos
Olympiacos beat Holargos at the SEF 85-70 and won the ticket to next stage of the Greek Cup competition, where he will be playing against Kolossos Rhbodes (03-04/11).
Our team started with an 8-0 streak, however, Holargos put pressure in the defense, took advantage of defensive gaps and closed in 8-6 at 5’. But that was as far as it went… Blatt’s players closed the first quarter leading 19-14, while in the second quarter improved on their defense, found aim from the perimeter and took the difference to +12 (38-24 at 17’). At the end of the first half, Janis Timma scored with a baseball shot from one basket to the other, however, the bucket was marginally off the clock and Olympiacos went to the locker rooms with a +10 (42-32).
Our team saw to finish the victory quest early in the second half speeding up the game… With a solid defense and Giorgos Printezis leading the offense, increased the margin to +23 (64-41 at 27’). Nikola Milutinov and Sasha Vezenkov widened the margin (26p., 74-48 at 32’), but then the ‘reds’ slowed down and allowed the guests to close in at 12p. (78-66, at 37’). Blatt’s players reacted, maintained complete control of the game reached an easy victory.
The quarters: 19-14, 42-32, 70-48, 85-70
Οlympiacos (Blatt): Goss 6 (5as), Τoliopoulos, Τoupane 9, Spanoulis 7(1), Timma 4, Μilutinov 12 (9 reb.), Strelnieks 11(1), Vezenkov 4, Printezis 18, Mantzaris 1, Bogris 2, LeDay 11.
Holargos (Lykogiannis): Agbelese 2, Okereafor 4, Kalaitzakis 2, Fitzpatrick 8(2), Spyridonidis 8(2), Kamperidis 13(3), Κottas 8, Love 12(1), Skoulidas, Jankovic 13(1).
«We played just like we wanted to»
David Blatt was satisfied by his players’ performance. “I think that we played just like we wanted to. We had three good quarters, we obviously are not satisfied with the last one, our tempo should not have slowed down that much”. When asked to comment on the 27 assists and if this is what’s wanted in every game, he stressed: “I honestly would like to be seeing his in every game, but I cannot guarantee about it. We try to play in a certain way and I hope we will continue passing the ball, keeping good distancing and create opportunities for one another”.
Holargos coach, Aris Lykogiannis, commented: “I wish a good season for everyone, with health. Congratulations to Olympiacos on winning today and for qualifying to the next Cup round. We are soon playing another game against Olympiacos, so we needed to manage certain situations, given the analogy of the game and I believe we did that. I hope we are even better in the next game”. Asked which players are going to be available for Sunday’s game, he replied: “Dorsey will definitely not be playing, it’s race for him to make the game against Kolossos Rhodes. Hawkins’ injury is not that bad. He will be trying to play tomorrow without contact and it is possible that he gets minutes in the Sunday game, so that he starts getting into rhythm for the games that follow are really important for us”.
Giorgos Printezis: «We went through a tough pre-season, just like it is the norm for teams that aim big like Olympiacos. We have many new and young players. Our goal is to be playing the best way possible. You try to get better as you get older. I’m making assessments, figuring out what I need to be doing and work on my weaknesses each summer. I hope our effort can be displayed on the court both individually and team wise. We’ll be trying to gain speed through our defense and energy. Have more possessions but also be good on 5 on 5. When the opponent won’t be allowing us to play, to be able to read the game».