The lord of upsets
Olympiacos was leading by 15 points, but Bayern came back to the game and took the lead by, only the reds had anything but said their last word. And when they did say it, all was decided (88-83).
This was the third victory of the ‘reds’ for the Euroleauge, following equal number of games. Now, only the Piraeus team is first and undefeated in the group. At the beginning of the game the two teams were clashing head on. The Back2Back European Champions with Vassilis Spanoulis and Bryan Dunston playing superb offense managed in obtaining a 25-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Lojeski, Mantzaris and Sloukas improved the reds’ game upon their entering it and thus the difference reached two digit numbers (32-22) following a three-pointer by Vassilis Mantzaris. The lead was maintained at the same levels (38-28) until 17’, but the German team made a four point game (38-34) with 6-0 run. Lojeski and Spanoulis once again stepped on the accelerator and the first half ended with the team of Giorgos Bartzokas leading 47-39.
During the first five minutes of the third quarter the Back2Back Champions of Europe were the absolute dominants of the encounter. Dunston and Lojeski were playing excellent and with a partial 17-10 run the players of Giorgos Bartzokas were winning 64-49 at 25’. However, the Olympiacos players seemed to be losing concentration on both ends of the floor and hence the Germans ran a partial 17-2 tying the game 66-66 at the end of the third quarter.
The reds continued without focus into the last quarter, especially defense wise and the guests took the lead 71-76. But the Back2Back European Champions ran a 12-0 streak and took the lead 83-76 at 39’ with a three by Vangelis Mantzaris. The Germans succeeded in making a one point game (83-82) following a 0/4 free throws by Mantzaris and Printezis. But Olympiacos got the final victory thanks to amazing defense and the personality of the players.
Τhe quarters: 25-20, 47-39, 66-66, 88-83
Οlympiacos (Bartzokas): Law, Dunston 19 (8reb, 3st), Spanoulis 10 (1), Perperoglou 3 (1), Sloukas 12 (1), Simmons, Begic, Printezis 13 (12reb), Agravanis 2, Mantzaris 12 (4/5 3p), Lojeski 17.
Bayern Munich (Pesic): Troutman 2, Schaffartzik 7 (2), Staiger, Benzing 9, Djedovic 13, Delaney 20 (1), Idbihi 10, Savovic 7 (1), Taylor 11 (1), Bryant 4.
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: «It was a really nice game with a lot of score fluctuations. Many of our players did not have a good evening for various reasons. The good thing is that we fought at the end and turned the situation in our favor. We got a victory that to me seems very important and tough. Bayern has proved that what we had been saying the whole week that they are a very good team, were true. If we had read the game a little better, the final difference could have been broader. There was inexcusable pressure at the end and players with very good career percentages missed their free throws. We have to look into this. We saw what happened in the Euroleague tonight and it’s indicative of what is going to happen next in the competition. We are happy for an important victory and look ahead”.
VANGELIS MANTZARIS: “It was a very good offensive game. We played well in offense, but we didn’t play right in defense. We also faced problems with defensive rebounding. Just like the coach has said, should the game been different, we would have lost. We weren’t good at critical moments, but thankfully we got the victory at the end. Tonight it was me; in another game it’s going to be somebody else. The thing is we won, and that’s what we keep from the game. We knew they would be coming back even when we were leading by 15, we knew they wouldn’t give up. Now we have to focus on our mistakes and get better”.
SVETISLAV PESIC: “No one can deny us the right to believe in victory and to be coming after it. No matter if we play against the European Champion or against the best team in the world. I’m confident that the coach and the players of Olympiacos know that no game is won before it is played. We’ve sent a message that there is basketball in Germany. Of course, it’s very difficult to be playing against Olympiacos. But we made our effort, we did not give up and I’m proud of my players for that. This is our job of course, this is the last game of October, it’s still early in the season, but we’ll have to improve our defense and the way we manage fouls. We still have way to go into the season and I hope that everything goes fine”.
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