A recital by Vezenkov seals a road win in Berlin!
With Sasha Vezenkov as the absolute protagonist, Olympiacos bested Alba in Berlin 80-84, for the 30th round of the Euroleague.
It’s noteworthy that the Olympiacos’ forward hit a career record, all the more with a double – double (31p., 10 reb).
Olympiacos’ paid a price for defensive mishaps and closed the first quarter trailing by 2 (18-16), with Sasha Vezenkov and Octavius Ellis being the sole scorers for our team during that time (8p. each).
Relying on their perimeter percentages, the Germans tried to establish total control of the game (29-22 at 15’), however, with a good defensive performance and offensive plurality, Olympiacos ran a partial 10-2 that gave them the driver’s seat (31-32 at 17’). However, the hosts took advantage of the turnovers and the missed free throws of the ‘reds’ and regained control (42-37 at 20’).
Our team made a strong start in the 3rd quarter and with a 7-0 streak took the lead by 2p (42-33). The Germans then ‘lured’ the Bartzokas’ players into a crazy tempo, which nevertheless they were able to face up to (62-62 at 30’).
Pressing defense and peripheral shoots gave Olympiacos a +10 margin (67-77 at 35’). However, bad choices, turnovers and missed free throws, allowed Alba to close in to one point (78-79) with 34’’ on the clock. At that point though, Sasha Vezenkov ‘declared’ his presence. He made a three (78-82) and then sealed the victory with 2 free throws 4’’ before the buzzer.
The quarters: 18-16, 42-37, 62-62, 80-84.
