A tornado in Glyfada...
Playing great basketball and remaining absolutely focused from the beginning to the end, the “reds” shattered Ikaros Kallithea 56 – 102 in the Glyfada gym.
From the beginning of the game, the players of Dusan Ivkovic showed they were dead serious about the game and despite the injury of Marko Keselj at 5’, who left the game with a second degree sprain; they were not at all affected. The “reds” edged their rival at all four quarters, an example of not loosening up not even for a moment while they took the difference to 46 points, making this their broadest victory for the HEBA League this season.
Τhe quarters: 14-31, 27-56, 42-82, 56-102.
Referees: Piloeides, Psarianos, Tsonos V.
Ikaros Kallitheas (Aris Lykogiannis): Charis 11 (1), Agadakos 6, Falekas 3 (1), Κarampoulas 6, Polytarchou 2, Kalampokis 10, McAlarney 9 (1), Petrodimopoulos 2, Κrasic, Deligiannis, Τountziarakis 7, Katoufas.
Οlympiacos (Dusan Ivkovic): Νesterovic 9, Spanoulis 18 (4), Keselj 3 (1), Pelekanos 10 (1), Mavrokefalides 4, Halperin 22 (4), Glyniadakis, Νielsen 11, Papanikolaou 7, Erceg 2, Τeodosic 13 (1), Κatsivelis 3 (1).
The protagonists’ quotes…
DUSAN IVKOVIC: It seems it was an easy game for us because our players remained focused and displayed team spirit that we really need at this moment.
We have had some unexpected injuries that started with Panagiotis and concluded today with Keselj. Papaloukas has suffered a sprain, but I think he will be ready Thursday and Mpourousis was somewhat hurting. We have 16 players and I believe that we are going to find the best chemistry and we will play with a winners’ spirit during this time that is the most important of the season.
Today we have had very good scoring percentages. In Valencia, the game is going to be different for us.
Gordon is in a very good shape and I thought to change the first six players in the Greek League, but it’s still too early to give the young guys a chance. Halperin is a Euroleague players, he’s trying hard in defense and can help us a lot. I asked from my players to remain serious tonight that we were missing Papaloukas and GGordon and that’s why Spanoulis and Teodosic did not play together for a minute. We are at point where everyone knows their part.
JOTAM HALPERIN: I think we played that aggressively because we respect Ikaros and know what they can do. We tried to play hard from minute one. We were missing two key-players tonight and we all tried very hard to cover the void. Now we have an important game ahead of us.
We are very lucky to have a coach like “Duda”. We are learning something, both older and younger guys. The season is long and we all have our ups and downs. What matters is to stay focused. We all have to show something on the floor to help the team. Tonight I’m happy to have helped the team, but we are 16 players and everyone can help. That’s what makes a good team, that everyone can help the same.
ΑRIS LYKOGIANNIS: Olympiacos came in very focused, especially at defense while we lacked the minimum concentration necessary. It’s true that the absence of Thompson made big problems for us at rebounding and the way we functioned defensively. The game is over for us. Tomorrow a new player is coming for us, Dziganovic, who is going to add volume inside the post and I believe that with the return of the injured players whom we tried to get back in rhythm tonight, we are going to find the solutions to succeed our goal, which is none other than remaining with the HEBA League.
GIORGOS DELIGIANNIS: We knew it was going to be a tough game. We were very stressed and missing Thompson. We played with better concentration in the second half and I think we enjoyed it, because every game against Olympiacos should be a celebration. I wish to thank the coach for trusting me from the beginning of the season and I want to keep learning. I have had a huge opportunity and I tried to be the better I can be.