Wanted it, fought for it, but didn’t make it
Olympiacos’ had wanted the win a lot for the sake of their fans, but didn’t make it. The ‘reds’ lost in the 3rd place game of the Final Four to Barcelona 84-74 and finished 4th in the post-season.
The ‘blaugrana’ made a strong start, ‘struck’ in the post and got to lead with 8p. (10-2) in just the 3rd minute. Olympiacos improved on their defense and with Sloukas and Vezenkov succeeded in tying the game 20-20 (at 11’). Taking advantage of their superiority with rebounding, the Catalans ran a partial 5-0 and once again got ahead in the score (26-20 at 12’), however, the ‘reds’ replied with a partial 11-4 and came ahead for the first time at 15’ (30-31). Barcelona however took advantage of our team’s bad decisions, ‘struck’ from the perimeter and closed the first half at +7 (45-38).
In the second half, the season’s MVP, Nikola Mirotic sped up and Barcelona built a +14 difference (60-46 at 26’). Our team though did not give up the fight. With pressing defense and Sasha Vezenkov leading the offense, Olympiacos closed in to 4p. (64-60 at 32’).The ‘reds’ defense continued being effective, however, offense was not following suit, resulting in Barcelona increasing the margin to 8p. (68-60 at 34’). With a 5-0 partial with Sloukas and McKissic, Olympiacos closed in to 3p. (68-65), however, the blaugrana replied with a 5-0 of their own (73-65 at 36’). Olympiacos continued fighting to turn the game around (75-70), but Barcelona maintained control and won the game.
The quarters: 20-18, 45-38, 62-56, 84-74.
