Valuable win in France!
With Kostas Sloukas and Shaquielle McKissic as the absolute protagonists, Olympiacos bent Villeurbanne’s solid resistance and won the postponed game for the 10th round of the Euroleague 101-93 (86-86) in Lyon.
With Kostas Sloukas impeccably organizing the game as well as scoring, and with Giorgos Printezis and Hassan Martin doing a very good job under the rim, Olympiacos se the tempo and got a +10 difference (13-23 at 9’). However, what they strove for 9’ to build, they brought down in less than 3’. Bad offensive choices, gaps in the defense and needless fouls allowed the prolific Villeurbanne’s perimeter offense to close in at one point (24-25 at 12’). With a three by Norris Cole, the French team got ahead 35-33 (at 17’), but the return of Kostas Sloukas on the floor restored order … The ‘reds’ point guard once again facilitated for the big players (initially Octavius Ellis and later on for Hassan Martin) and our team regained control (37-44 at 20’).
Up until 25’, the ‘reds’ were holding a steady lead (47-54), but the pressing defense by Villeurbanne on almost every inch of the floor was the cause for major problems … At the same time, the French took advantage of the defensive gaps in our team’s lines and closed in at one point (57-58), but personal inspirations by Shaquielle McKissic kept Olympiacos at the driver’s seat up until the end of the 3rd quarter (61-63).
In the last quarter however, the roles were reversed and the hosts were the ones that set the rules… The French penetrated the Greek team’s defense with ease, throwing them off balance and having them watching Villeurbanne getting ahead 75-69 (at 35’). Shaquielle McKissic continued being the most reliable offensive solution together with Hassan Martin and Kostas Sloukas, helping Olympiacos getting ahead 82-83 (at 39’). Taking advantage of the numerous offensive rebounds grabbed during the last minute of the game, the French found themselves leading with +3 (86-83) with 9.9’’ to the end, however, Kostas Sloukas had not spoken his last words. With a three - and although guarded – at the buzzer, he wrote the 86-86 on the score board, sending the game to overtime.
It took about two minutes in the prorogation for the ‘reds’ to find rhythm, but they did not get to ‘pay’ for it, since their defense was immensely improved! The Bartzokas’ players blocked the path to the basket for the French, they were successful from the free throw line and hence won the game.
The quarters: 15-23, 37-44, 61-63, 86-86 Overtime: 93-101
«We had patience even during difficult moments»
The coach of Olympiacos, Giorgos Bartzokas, pointed out: “It was a very difficult game. We all feel exhausted, even the coaches. First of all, I think this game to have been one of the most difficult of the season. The first reason is because I really respect Villeurbanne a lot, their roster and their style of playing. It is difficult for us to match them up. Also, it was a great way to respond to the Friday loss. It was difficult for us to come here and play. Of course, tonight we had Hassan Martin with us, who was able to play and helped us a lot. The important thing is however, that we played as a team, we were patient, even during the difficult moments, when we were trailing. We found solutions, tied the game with the three by Sloukas’ and at the end we dominated through our defense. We had nine blocks throughout the game, and if I’m not mistaken, three of them were during overtime. They were extremely important stops at the end of the game and we managed to get the victory. Congratulations to our team. We are at a crucial point for all teams. We are in the second round, although for us, this game was one from the first round, so every game I now think counts twice as much. Each game is a final. There are many good and strong teams with the Euroleague. Nothing is easy”.
we threw away the victory against Maccabi in Tel Aviv. However, tonight we showed character, despite losing rhythm and making turnovers, we came back and got the win. This is what we need to keep from tonight’s game, how we succeeded in turning the game around. We had to respond to the Friday loss to Villeurbanne. They are a good team, they had prepared their game really well, but we came through and we now need to solely focus on the game against Zalgiris, that is yet one more final for us”.