2-0 with ease
With Giorgos Printezis playing with the red and white shirt after 22 months, Olympiacos easily edged Kolossos in Rhodes 83-67 and sealed the ticket for the play-offs quarter – finals where he will be meeting the winner of the Aris – Maroussi match up.
The ‘reds’ under Dusan Ivkovic were excellent in the first quarter of the game when they even led by 17 points and then they did not have to push themselves, rather they only had to maintain the safety net till the end of the encounter.
Τhe quarters: 9-26, 25-40, 45-61, 67-83.
Κolossos Rhodes (Giannis Sferopoulos): Calathes 6, Κafkis 4, Jordan 6, Panos 11, Μanolopoulos 10 (1), Charisis 5, Τsamis 2, Pappas 6 (2), Golemac 9 (2), Georgalis 5, Ιvanovic 3 (1), Αngelakos
ΟLYMPIACOS (Dusan Ivkovic): Papaloukas 5 (1), Gordon 9 (1), Printezis 6, Bourousis 8, Κeselj, Mavrokefalides 20, Halperin 13 (3), Glyniadakis 2, Papanikolaou 2, Erceg 3 (1), Τeodosic 15 (3), Κatsivelis
The quotes…
DUSAN IVKOVIC: I believe that my team has righteously qualified for the League semi-finals but I would like to also congratulate Kolossos for being in the play-offs for a third season in a row. Congratulations to coach Sferopoulos for a serious job done that will for add something to Greek basketball. We were serious in the first quarter and we only received 9 points. But I have to say that I’m disappointed by the fact that although we are dealing with so many injuries and we need to play as a team, we were defeated in the second half and I have to complain about that to my bench players. And that’s what I told them.
GIORGOS PRINTEZIS: The game has definitely been kind of peculiar for me coming back to the team after a year and a half. It was the last game before the cup final and I think we showed the necessary focus. We now have ten days to work even more to prepare the best we can to reach our goal. I wish I were here earlier, but unfortunately circumstance did not allow for that. I will try for the best from now on.
GIANNIS SFEROPOULOS: Congratulations to Olympiacos and coach Ivkovic, whom I respect and appreciate a lot. Just a few moments ago I said goodbye to the players and the staff of Kolossos. It has been my last game with the team. I think that the work we did in the last three years with the team has been very hard and makes Kolossos an example for all teams away from major urban centers. I’m very proud for the work we have done in the last three years, I’m very proud for my players, the fans, the administration and the staff. I wish that Kolossos always looks upwards, I will always keep everyone here in my heart.
We have changed a lot of things in these three years, on and off the court. We have changed the mentality; the team has made many steps forward competition wise as well as in regard to organization in and out of courts. I would like to especially thank the vice President Mr. Matsamas, who has been by our side during a very tough season.
ΑNGELOS TSAMIS: We tried to be as competitive as possible from the beginning to the end. It has been a great success for Kolossos to be in the play-offs for a third season in a row and I wish the team succeeds something of the same value next year.