Legendary qualification!!!
Giorgos Printezis 'killed' Barcelona on behalf of Olympiacos with a buzzer beater from behind the three point arc and the 'reds' qualified to the Madrid Final Four with a 71-68 victory.
The game began with our team 'striking' from the post. The two teams were fighting point by point and the first quarter was 16-17 for the Catalans.
The 'reds' lost their concentration in defense in the second quarter and thus the guests with continuous threes succeeded in leading 29-37 at the end of the first half.
In the third quarter, Thrylos was impressive in both defense and offense. Mantzaris gave the signal for the counter attack, Spanoulis showed why he's the best player in Europe and the game was tied 50-50 at 30'.
The last quarter was heart stopping. The two teams were battling head to head, Spanoulis was scoring, Navarro was answering back, Printezis was having a great game and Satoransky was scoring threes. At the end, with the two teams tied 68-68, Printezis with an incredible three pointer, send Olympiacos to the Madrid Final Four.
The quarters: 16-17, 29-37, 50-50, 71-68
Olympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Petway 8 (2), Hunter 8, Dunston 2, Spanoulis 17 (3), Papapetrou, Sloukas 6, Printezis 14 (1), Mantzaris 11 (3), Lafayette 2, Darden 3, Lojeski.
Barcelona (Pasqual): Doellman 5 (1), Huertas 2, Abrines 11 (2), Navarro 8 (1), Satoransky 12 (1), Pleiss 4, Thomas 4, Oleson 5 (1), Lampe 4, Nachbar, Tomic 13.
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «It's a great day for our team, a historical qualification. I think we were better at the details of the two games that took place in the Peace and Friendship Stadium and much better in the second game in Barcelona. I think we were better in general in a series against a great team. We have had a negative tradition against Barcelona and that's why qualification against the certain opponent is even greater. We were kind of nervous in our game. It's only logical however, when you have the pressure for the result and had not wanted to have a game five. We were blocked in our offense in the first half and that shifted concentration from the defense as well. We changed our thinking during the break, tried a calmer approach and strengthened our defense. We received 13 and 18 points during the last two quarters and found rhythm in our offense. The game was a thriller. I think that victory and luck sides with the strong and the stronger team was Olympiacos. I would like to dedicate this qualification to our presidents, that have kept the team at a high level during all these years, and also to our fans that gave us a huge boost and that's why we need them by our side when things get rough. I told my players that I'm proud of them. They did not give up and when the game seemed lost to us, we showed character and won. They need to be congratulated as well as all those who work for the team night and day. It's a great advantage to have experienced players, a leader of the likes of Spanoulis, a player that's not easy to find and leads the rest with his game and attitude. There are more Greeks beside him, as well as foreign players. This combination gives the total its fighting spirit. Team and fighting spirits are the elements that define us. Players of a large caliber have put their egos under the team. It's proof that the team never gives up. It's been forged, has the necessary medal and winning players. We have had many injuries, Petway, Tsairelis, Spanoulis, Mantzaris, Agravanis… We have had a huge disadvantage because we did not have our whole roster available, but we have had patience and courage. We practiced the Russian retreat. When Napoleon attacked Russian in 1812, he reached the depths of the country and the Russians were retreating, but when the winter came, they attacked back. That's what we did. We were retreating, used alchemy to solve our problems and make our counter attack. As for the end, we hadn't planned for Printezis to take the shot, but we used a short rotation, so that they could all threaten the opposing basket. We had planned to open up the court and the one at the best position would take the shot. Sloukas had a clear head, saw the free player and Printezis made it".
BRENT PETWAY: "Everything was about defense and big personalities and we have many of those. We have experienced players. Printezis took the great shoot and the rest is history. Although I went through a rough patch, I have been feeling very well during the last few days. You have to come into the game and give it all. I had been playing for about 20 minutes and when I overcame my problem it was very difficult for me to get back to my previous standards. I worked hard to come to a team that would qualify for the Final Four. That's why I left Rethymno. I wanted to come to a team that would give me the chance to play to a Final Four. That's why I came to Olympiacos".
XAVI PASQUAL: "Congratulations to Olympiacos for its victory and qualification to the Final Four. It was a game similar to the ones prior in the series and Barcelona could have won as well. Both teams played very well, but Olympiacos was luckier. I understand the disappointment of the Barcelona fans. I understand how they must be feeling. We had almost been to all Final Fours of the previous years and this result is frustrating. I'm happy from the effort of my players. We had to deal with many adversities and managed to cope with them all. We were leading by 5 in the last minute but the end was really painful. There have been some mistakes during the last minutes for the last two games, but the only one I can blame is myself".
JUAN CARLOS NAVARRO: "We gave it all and fought hard. We almost won the game when we were winning by five a little before the end, but Olympiacos spoke in the critical moments. It's tough to win here. I feel the frustration of the Barcelona fans. I feel exactly the same and I completely understand. We have to regroup after this difficult moment. Now, we have to give it all win the championship".