Kostas Sloukas o… Majestic in the City!
Although O Olympic had his back against the wall at 3.9” before the end, the international guard with an incredible buzzer beater three-pointer from 8.5 metersgave him the victory (72-71) opposite to Fenerbahce and now one more is needed to qualify for the Final Four!
It almost happened fatal walkup with a huge mistake in the last seconds, which gave the opportunity to Goodrich to put his team ahead (71-69). Here.
But, the finale was wide… wide of Sluka’s signature, who he was by far the leader of the Piraeus, finishing the match with 25 points. Another 17 points were added by Vezenkovwho also scored very crucial baskets in the fourth period.
From Fener, the first scorer was Dorsey with 21 points, while another 15p. Jekiri had. Full appearance from him as well Baskets with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
The match
Olympiacos started with Fal, Vezenkov, Papanikolaou, Kanan and Walkap. The first … reconnaissance attacks were accurate for both (5-5) in the first two minutes. Then, Fener got consecutive offensive rebounds and with Jekiri and Dorsey went to +6 (11-5). The “red and white” responded with baskets in the open court with Vezenkov and Walkap, getting closer to the basket (13-11), in the 5th minute. The reaction of the Turks came from Pierre and Kalathis for the new +6 (19-13), in the 7th minute. In the final minutes, both were notably off target, but Hayes’ buzzer beater kept the lead for the home team at the end of the first period (21-15).
With mistakes and misplaced attempts even under the basket, Olympiacos entered the second quarter, with Fener going on a 5-0 run led by Dorsey, for +11 (26-15). Then came the reaction from the “red and whites”. With repeated good defenses, securing the defensive rebounds and with Sluka coming off the bench very hungry, the Piraeus made individual scores 2-14, going ahead (28-29), at 16′. Itoudis’ answer was the entry of Edwards, for the overtake (33-31), in the 18th minute. However, Slukas answered … right away and with help from Peters and Black Barzoka’s players went on a 7-0 run for +5 (33-38), with Goodrich’s shots making it 35-38 in the first half.
Tragic start from Olympiakos in the second half. On the one hand, the “red and white” had bad and misguided choices in the attack and on the other hand their defense was like… butter. Thus, Fenerbahce found a rhythm with Calathes leading the way and with help from Jekiri and Dorsey, they made separate scores of 14-3, for +8 (49-41), in the 27th minute. In the remaining time, Barzokas players pulled out some defenses and with Papanikolaou and Slukas gnawed away at the difference (51-45), at the end of the third period.
In the first two minutes of the fourth period, Olympiacos was in the match thanks to Slukas (55-50), with Motley coming into the game strongly and creating problems, sending Fener to +9 (60-51), at 23′ . Then, the “red and white” reacted through their defense and with Sluka’s creations and Vezenkov finding his… hand, they went on a 13-0 run, for the lead (60-64), at 26′. However, the continuation was not similar for the players of Barzokas, while on the other hand, Dorsey and Kalathis with long shots outside the 6.75m. they scored individually 9-2 for the lead (69-66), in the 38th minute. After a good defense, Vezenkov tied the game with a three-pointer (69-69) with 48.8 minutes to go. On the next drive, Dorsey missed, but Walkup made a foul, giving the home team another possession, with Goodrich making it 71-69 with 3.9 minutes left. The ball went into the hands of Slukas, who with an INCREDIBLE buzzer beater three-pointer gave the victory to Olympiakos (71-72)!
The quarters: 21-15, 35-38, 51-45, 71-72
See the match statistics here
Watch the film of the match here
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
