Barcelona lost Friday to Olympiacos in the first Euroleague match (70-80). The azulgrana, who played at home, failed to beat the Greeks who had taken the lead in the second quarter and remained ahead until the end of the match. Laprovittola and Higgins were the best of a local team that came out with little momentum and many attacking failures. Jasikevicius’ men sought a comeback until the end, but Olympiacos prevailed with many three-pointers but little precision. Barça have lost three in their last four games after losing to Real Madrid in the Super Cup final (89-83) and to Gran Canaria (88-85). Anadolu Efes, Euroleague champion in the last two seasons, beat the Red Star (72-59) on his debut in European competition.
Both teams were unsuccessful in the first quarter with a low score (16-13). The low score is understood by the few shots and the defensive work in both areas. A triple from Kalinic, after the assist from Laprovittola, seemed to loosen Barça a bit but it was only a mirage that raised the stands of the Palau Blaugrana.
Barça came out in the second quarter with the intention of getting back into the rhythm after a quiet first half. Instead of the pace, what increased was the chaos of the match. Difficult start for the azulgranas who lost the advantage gained in the first set. Olympiacos were also not very different, the Greek team also made many offensive mistakes. Another triple from Kalinic seemed to put Barça back in the game, but defensive failures, coupled with doubts in attack, left the Catalans with few resources.
Barcelona did not wake up. Despite Laprovittola’s offensive and assisting work for his teammates, the local team could not find the way. In the second quarter Olympiacos played more triples and, although the majority did not enter (5/17), Peter and Vezenkov’s notes were fundamental for the points difference. Both teams were better at defense, but the Greek team shot the ball a little better and this translated into the result of the interval (28-34). Those from Piraeus took the lead in the second quarter and never went below.
After the break, Barcelona came out with a different attitude, acclaimed by the Palau fans. But Olympiacos were undaunted and defended their fragile lead tooth and nail. The azulgrana led by the always reliable Laprovittola (16 points) and by Kalinic had come out very well in attack in the first minutes of the third quarter, but the Greek team restarts. A hovering Higgins basket, to be reviewed, prevented Olympiacos from starting the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead over Jasikevicius (49-57).
In the last period Olympiacos have won. The advantage against a quality Barca was not enough to overcome him. A play by Bolomboy clarified the intentions of the Greek team. The Russian scored and forced a free kick to bring his team to 11 points. The worst omen for Barcelona. But the local team did not collapse. A triple from Abrines from almost 10 meters raised the stands of the Palau and cheered on the culé, which managed to return under 3 points thanks to two baskets in a row by Cory Higgins.
Barça, who had played the entire game in fits and starts, were close to returning. The pace of the match has increased. Those of Piraeus were no less. Giannoulis Larentzakis appeared with three triples to keep the Greek side’s lead. The party had gone mad.
The azulgrana were on seven points in the last minute, in that area where comebacks are difficult, but possible. A fourth triple from Larentzakis, who scored his 12 points in the last quarter, stifled Barcelona’s few hopes with a 10-point difference on the scoreboard. Only the applause of the Greek fans who had followed their team to Barcelona were heard in the Palau stands.
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