Zalgiris – Olympic analysis: The half that “flyed” and the victory reaction with defense and terrible Vezenkov

He said “good year” to his team’s friends, leaving with the victory from its headquarters (92-85), a result that kept him at the top of the scoreboard in Euroleague. Olympiacos had a “diface” presence in the “Zalgirio Arena”, with a “white” first half but with an impressive and convincing appearance in the repetition, with… the well-known protagonists. CORVERSE ‘What are you waiting for? You play in the Euroleague, what do you expect to do? If we want to have ambitions as a team and win, that’s not the way we play. Look at yourself in the mirror, ask him if you have ambitions and go out and play”, was George Bartzokas’ line to his players at halftime, according to what Thomas Walkap revealed after the end of the match. The Pirates showed their… teeth and gave the “answer” the Greek coach wanted! The “demonst” Francisco and the 11/17 three-pointers of the hosts Olympiacos was troubled – and strongly – in the first half. His big gun, his defense, didn’t show up at the Zalgiris headquarters for the first 20 minutes of the race. Francisco was unstoppable in the first half breaking up every defensive plan of George Bartzokas, having 20 points with 5/6 three points. In about 16 minutes’ race, the French guard “touched” his career record in the Euroleague, eventually reaching it (22p.) later. CORVERSE The “reds” lost the rebound battle (15-6), were good aggressively, ahead of McKishik- but in defense… they entered, resulting in 52 points from the worst attack of the event (M. 77 points) (52-40 half-time score). Olympiacos closed the first part with 13/19 two-point, 4/12 three-point, 2/5 shots, 6 rebounds (5-1), 8 assists, 6 steals, 1 block, 5 errors, 7 fouls and McKishik at 9 points. Zalgiris on the other hand had 7/10 two-pointers (!!!), 11/17 three-pointers (!!!), 5/5 shots, 15 rebounds (12-3), 10 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 11 errors “hard” defense, Vezenkov, McKishik and Fournier brought it… The… the job was done in the second half. Olympiacos received 33 points (19 and 14 per period), returning from -14, having known protagonists! Everything started from the defense and energy of George Bartzokas’ team. With an exemplary picture in this area and with Sasha Vezenkov scoring 12 points in the 3rd period Olympiacos initially returned to the game and then took the lead. Fournier then took the baton with streak points, completing the match with 14 BC.With a streak of 15–0 starting from the end of the 3rd quarter (71–65) to half of the latter (71–80), the Piraeusers first took the lead in the score which they held to the end, for their first victory in 2025! Any player who came from the bench was ready to help in the defensive sector, with Walkap and Papanikolaou giving important solutions. Sakil McKishik with 17 points and 3/6 three points was the second best player of the “reds” behind the first scorer Sasha Vezenkov (24p., 7r.). Wakap (13p., 5as.), who – along with Fournier (14p., but having a missed start) – achieved “great” shots in decisive points. Even Nikola Milutinov who had not helped, in the last few minutes he succeeded in succeeding baskets on the racket. This was Olympiacos’ 4th consecutive win at Euroleague, thanks to which he made 13-6 and remains in the “retirement” of the scoreboard. Let us mention that shortly after the end of the match, it became known that Luca Vildosa felt a stomach illness before the game and therefore did not compete at all in the match.