Gomelsky Cup: CSKA – Οlympiacos 91-66
Olympiacos lost to the European Champion, CSKA, 66-91, in the final of the “Gomelsky Cup”. The captain, Vassilis Spanoulis, did not play in order to rest.
The Army’s team got to lead by 10 (15-5 at 7’), but Kevin Punter stepped up and the team closed in 17-12 at 9’. The Russians exploited the gaps in the ‘reds’ defense and with their absolute dominion in rebounding (27-18) sent the difference to +21 (44-23 at 17’). Olympiacos closed in 30-48 at the end of the first half, however, the ‘reds’ did not improve in the second one. The Russians dominated both ends of the floor and the difference went as high as +36 (89-53 at 36’). Finally, with a partial 13-2, Blatt’s players made the final 91-66 score.
The quarters: 19-14, 48-30, 75-46, 91-66.
CSKA (Ιtoudis): Bolomboy 16 (1), James 15, Αntonov 2, Strelnieks 5(1), Voigtmann 10 (1), Vorontsevich 3, Clyburn 11(2), Hackett 8, Lopatin, Kulagin 2, Hilliard 4, Kurbanov 9(1), Baker 6 .
Olympiacos (Blatt): Punter 12(1), Baldwin 5(1), Paul 13(3), Koniaris, Cherry 5(1), Milutinov 11(7reb.), Vezenkov 5(1), Printezis 4, Papanikolou (6 reb.), Kuzminskas 2, Rubit 6, Happ.
«I don’t like losing, but you are to lose, this is the right moment…»
David Blatt commented: “CSKA is a very strong team right now. We have to be realistic about that. It’s good to have these kind of games to play, because in one sense, they ‘ground’ you to reality. You understand what it means to play at the highest level and what you need to do get there. And that’s where we want to be, at the highest level. Pre-season has been tough on both teams, due to a lot of absentees, internationals and injured players. However, the fact that CSKA has been together for far more time, with a lot of players, certainly gives her and advantage. I don’t like losing at all, but, if your are to lose, then this is the right moment. If you are going to have difficulties, then it’s better to have the luxury to learn from them, than suffer consequences. And that’s exactly the point in today’s game. I always have a laugh with the guys that played with the National team of Russian in France, the year we won the European Championship. We lost by 40 at a preparation friendly game. This happened in 2007 and we all know how that ended… So, the important thing is to learn from games like this one. CSKA is a great team. Congratulations. We’ll be meeting them again during the Euroleague’s Regular season. I would like to once again thank everyone for inviting us in this traditional and special tournament. We are happy and proud to have been here”.
Asked on how he plans keeping his team in shape during the season, given the fact that his players will only be playing one game a week, he replied: “We hope to find ways to fill the schedule with friendly games, so we continue being in rhythm. But to be honest, I have not done this in the past. However, it’s certainly my responsibility to find a solution to that. That’s my job. I’m not complaining about anything.”
On the warm welcome he received from the Russian fans: “I’m very moved by the appreciation where ever I have been. And of course here in Russia, where I maintain a strong bond. It’s very important for me and I appreciate it. It’s a special place for me. But I still have a job to do. My personal situation is not an excuse for anything, neither it keeps me from doing my job properly. I have to lead this team and I have to do it the right way. Other people face more serious problems than mine”.
On his part, Kevin Punter said: “We need to be playing for forty minutes and we did not do that. I don’t have much to say. We did not play hard, we did not put our heart into the game”.