Perfect ten!
Olympiacos bested Zielona Gora 91-80 in Poland, completed the Euroleague Regular Season with a 10-0 record and qualified undefeated in all competitions, as well as the top seed to the Euroleague TOP-16. Four players finished the game with two digit scoring numbers.
Our team began the game well with Vassilis Spanoulis leading in both ends of the court. The Back2Back European Champions were leading from the beginning and Spanoulis quickly scored 8 points, while the ‘reds’ were ahead 18-22 at the end of the first quarter.
Giorgos Bartzokas made a lot of changes in the second quarter, but this never affected the tempo of the team. All the more, the European Champions, enjoying an excellent performance by Stratos Perperoglou, sent the difference to +10 (24-34) for the first time five minutes before half-time. The ‘reds’ without facing too much pressure maintained the difference close to ten points (32-41 at 19’) and half-time ended 34-43.
Olympiacos was fierce in the third quarter and in just 1:30’’ scored seven points sending the difference to +14 (36-50) at 22’. Spanoulis dished assists, Lojeski, Perperoglou and Dunston were finishing plays and hence the difference got stabilized at two digit numbers (45-60) at 25’. The Polish team tried for a come-back, but when they managed to cut the difference down from ten points (60-67) at 29’, Matt Lojeski took over and the third quarter ended 62-72.
At the beginning of the last quarter, the Back2Back European Champions once again hit the gas pedal and with continuous points by Stratos Perperoglou the difference rose above 17 points (64-81) at 32:30’’. In the last seven minutes the ‘reds’ were just maintaining the difference and reached an 80-91 victory.
Τhe quarters: 18-22, 34-43, 62-72, 80-91.
Zielona Gora (Uvalin): Cel 6, Walker, Chanas 4, Hrycaniuk 10, Eyenga 6, Dragisevic 14, Kucharek, Brackins 2, Sroka 4 (1), Zamojski 22 (6), Koszarek 12 (1).
Olympiacos (Bartzokas): Petway 2, Dunston 12 (5reb), Spanoulis 17 (1 3p, 6as), Perperoglou 23 (5), Papapetrou 3 (1), Sloukas 2, Simmons 8 (5reb), Agravanis, Mantzaris 2, Katsivelis 4 (1), Lojeski 18 (4).
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: “It was a good offensive game, we scored 91 points and I think it was nice for the fans to watch a game of no importance to both teams that nevertheless had a show to offer. There was no motive for either team, but I think the game was interesting and everyone who watched it enjoyed it. We came to Poland without three players, Law, Printezis and Begic and wanted to give minutes to all our players. We are happy for the 10-0 record of the Regular Season, we wanted to achieve this record despite the fact that we had won the first place and had qualified for the TOP-16 weeks ago. We are happy for what we have done and for continuing into the TOP-16, which is a small three months championship. We wish for health, proper preparation and get what we deserve. I want to wish Zielona Gora all the best. They showed good elements in their first Euroleague tour, they lost three games at the last shot and showed a very good face in general. I wish them good luck with the Eurocup, where I think they are going to get quite a long way”.
MATT LOJESKI: “We wanted to finish the Regular Season in the same tempo, play our game and get the victory. We did that and we are happy for it. We are looking at one game at a time. We now focus on the game against Panathinaikos, this is what we have in mind and nothing else. TOP-16 and how we are going to qualify to play-offs comes next. I know what the Olympiacos – Panathinaikos games mean, I know the importance of this game, we want to play as a team and get the victory. Actually, this is the competition’s final and we are going to play our best”.
*Brent Petway experienced some discomfort in the lower back after the blow he received in the first quarter following an attempt to score. The American forward will undergo a medical evaluation to determine the scale of the problem.
*Acie Law continues therapy to reduce fluid in his knee and assessments on when he is going absolutely ready to play will be made on a daily basis.