A fulfilling show by Thrylos!
Olympiacos had no problem whatsoever against Koroivos Amaliadas winning 87-70 and reaching 21 victories for the Basket League SKRATS.
Thrylos began the game determined to end the game prematurely. Lojeski and Hunter were unstoppable, Mantzaris was organizing and scoring, Darden was offering his own solutions and hence the first quarter ended 18-28 for the team of Giannis Sfairopoulos.
However, Olympiacos’ defense wasn’t the one its coach intended in the second quarter. Koroivos found free shooting range and the home team closed in 38-44 at the end of the first half.
Olympiacos once again got control of the situation in the third quarter. Darden and Dunston were offering offensive solutions, Olympiacos’ defense was excellent in the first seven minutes and the score was 46-55. Then, a partial 2-9 for Olympiacos made the score 48-64 and it was at some point there that the game was decided, with the third quarter ending 56-68.
In the last quarter, Thrylos offered a fulfilling show. Followng 6 minutes into the last quarter, the partial score was 6-12 for the team of Giannis Sfairopoulos and the score at 36’ was 62-80. The ‘reds’ maintained the difference at high levels during the last four minutes and thus shaped the final 70-87.
The quarters: 18-28, 38-44, 56-68, 70-87.
Koroivos Amaliadas (Markopoulos): Maggette, Marshall 16 (2), Giannakidis 6 (2), Αngelopoulos 2, Papapetrou, Bowers 13, Vasiljevic 8 (2), Kanonidis 12 (1), Turner 5, Rubio 7, Galiotos.
Olympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Hunter 15 (7reb), Dunston 9 (4reb), Darden 9 (1 3p, 4reb, 1as), Papapetrou 3 (1), Lafayette 5 (1 3p, 5as), Lojeski 16 (1 3p, 6as), Christodoulou, Printezis 4, Agravanis 13 (2 3p, 6reb, 1as), Mantzaris 9 (1 3p, 4as), Kavvadas, Katsivelis 4.
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: « We knew we would be having a tough mission against a team that has made all its victories in its home court, they have beat teams like Aris and PAOK. We should remain focused against a team that would give us problems. In the beginning of the second quarter and until the end of the first half we lost our concentration, made mistakes, did not show a clear head, we allowed easy scoring and confidence for Koroivos. But we remained focused during the whole of the second half we were focused, we did not receive easy baskets, changed the rhythm, forced Koroivos to give up their game plan, moved the ball well and thus got the difference against a team that I believe deserves to save the category, because it helps promote basketball in the periphery. I would like to congratulate the coach for his good work and wish him to achieve his goals” the Olympiacos coach said in the beginning and then stressed that “we are not underestimating any opponent, we don’t see any team as ‘lesser’. Koroivos, like all the teams in the Greek league, will beat you if you don’t play up to your potential. We were coming from a big victory against Efes three days ago and this not easy to handle. When you are coming from a big victory and you have a trip to make, the coach needs to find motivation for his players. Our players’ experience was very helpful with that, the players are the protagonists and all those comprising the team d not underestimate any opponent and that’s what’s important”.
IOANNIS PAPAPETROU: “We had wanted to use this game in order to maintain focus for what comes next. We played better in the second half and reached a rather easy victory. It’s a nice feeling to be playing against your brother, but when you come on the floor you only want to win. We are now looking ahead in both Greece and the Euroleague”.
DIMITRIS AGRAVANIS: “It was difficult for me to play like that. I was coming from very mediocre performances, but I tried for the best for our team. It’s important for the team to win and not individual performances. We are now focusing on the game against CSKA Moscow in Russia”.