Olympiacos took the second of the three steps required to win the championship on Friday night (07/06), beating 92-86 of Panathinaikos in SEF.
Speaking after the match to the ERT3 camera, the captain of the “red and whites”, Kostas Papanikolaoureferred to the pivotal third period, to the excellent defense of Olympiakos, but also to the fact that nothing has yet been decided for the title.
At the same time, he also commented on skirmish between Isaiah Kanaan and Kostas Sloukas towards the end of the match.
The statements of Kostas Papanikolaou in detail:
“The third period was the key today. We came out very strong in the second half, we laid the foundations to keep the pace and with the help of the crowd to reach an important victory.
We wanted to present the same strong defense that we had in Game 1. Our strong defense is a “key” that can bring us to win the title and so far we have made two excellent efforts defensively, but this does not mean that Panathinaikos does not put points. He has talented players. The point is how hard you make it for them to find those points.
Nan and Slukas are two attacking poles for Panathinaikos and their game. A big part of our tactics and the disorganization of Panathinaikos has to do with these two players, but there are other players who are outstanding and we cannot doubt them.
At the moment we have laid a very good foundation with today’s game, but nothing is finished. We have a very difficult game in OAKA and that is where we are focusing now.
We also have talented players, guys who can put the ball in the basket. Contrary to what is commented that offensively we are not a good team, we have proven a few times that we can reach 90, 80, 100. But in order to do this, the defense must be strong because that is where the body starts of our game and from there we find psychology in the attack.
I definitely expect a big battle in the third final. We have to go with the same thirst, the same will and the same passion to play a difficult game in a difficult venue and claim the championship.
I don’t know what might have been said between Kanaan and Sluka at the end, but these things in a game happen. Anyone who watches basketball at all levels obviously when we talk about a title there will be tensions. For me this is all within the context of the game. I happened to have a skirmish with Ioannis who was at Olympiakos for many years and we have a terrible relationship. What does this mean that we want the evil of others? All this should be kept to the four lines.”
Source: Sport Fm
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