Lost to Monaco at the SEF
The Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) was packed to capacity (the game was sold out), but Olympiacos couldn’t manage to overcome Monaco. They were defeated 87–92 in the 7th round of the EuroLeague.
The visitors applied strong defensive pressure, exploited the defensive gaps of the 'red & whites' and took an early 1–8 lead in the 3rd minute. However, Giorgos Bartzokas’ players reacted quickly, responding with a 14–6 run and taking the lead for the first time at 9’ with a basket by Dorsey (15–14). With the team’s first successful three-pointer of the game from Vezenkov, Olympiacos closed the first quarter up by four (20–16). With improved defense and key contributions from Ward and McKissic, the lead grew to 8 points (30–22 at 14’).
This was followed by a very poor offensive five-minute stretch during which our team scored only 3 points. Monaco took advantage of that and turned the game around again (33–35 at 19’). Olympiacos answered with a 5–0 run (a 2-pointer from Milutinov and a 3-pointer from Papanikolaou, who had just come off the bench), but Mike James reduced the deficit to 38–37 for Monaco at the end of the first half.
Our team failed to capitalize on Nikola Milutinov’s dominance in the paint (49–46 at 25’), defensive problems persisted, and Monaco, hitting shots from the long range, seized the opportunity to build a 10-point lead (54–64 at 29’). Some questionable calls frustrated the hosts, but they also acted as a wake-up call; Dorsey and Vezenkov responded with a 6–0 run (60–64 at 30’) in just 40 seconds.
Relying on their continued perimeter accuracy (with Diallo and Okobo leading the way), Monaco maintained control and even extended the lead to +10 (74–84) with 3:11 left. With solid defense and Tyler Dorsey leading the offense, Olympiacos fought hard to stage a comeback and came within striking distance several times. A 10–3 run brought the score to within one basket (1:05 before the end), but neither Fournier’s nor Ward’s three-point attempts to tie the game found the mark.
With 19'' left on the clock, Diallo made two free throws for 84–89. Dorsey cut it to 86–89, but with Mirotić hitting 1/2 free throws, Monaco essentially sealed the win at 86–90. With 4.6 seconds remaining, Dorsey went to the free-throw line, made the first, and intentionally missed the second, but the ball didn’t hit the rim — and the comeback hopes were gone for good. Diallo finished the game with a layup to make it 92–87.
The quarters: 20–16, 38–37, 60–64, 87–92.
