On paper, the final result of a game in which Olympiacos beat Rhodes 52-71 in the Greek league on Monday should not cause a stir, an easy and unsurprising victory by a good team over a team in 9th place in the table. But a closer look reveals that in the entire first half, last year's Euroleague finalist scored only 27 points. This figure, together with the unflattering record in the Euroleague (11 wins and 10 losses), is causing great concern in the ranks of the Greek Empire, which will meet Maccabi Tel Aviv this Thursday.
Red Star Belgrade fans in a frenzy / Credit: Red Star
Star Alec Peters said after the win, which was achieved through a 44-point second half: "It was very difficult to identify my team in the first half, we were bad. In the second half we improved a bit. All of us in the group are ashamed and disappointed in ourselves. This is not the Olympiacos that we want to show our world and that the organization deserves. Last week was not a good week for us in the Euroleague and we know the importance of the one ahead of us. There is the game against Maccabi at home, and we have to see it as a playoff game. Must win."
Peters went on to clarify that for him a map can only go up: "I think it's the lowest point for our team, from here on out I hope it goes better."
The team's coach, Georgis Bartzukas, was also unhappy with the victory, and perhaps with the motivation with which the players came to the game: "We played six games in two weeks and went to Spain during that time. The motivation and energy of our players is lower in the Greek league games. I also feel that there is a lot of pressure on the team, the level of competition in the leagues we are in is high. Everyone needs time. People think we should be in the Final Four every year, so the pressure is on us, but players have to get used to playing under pressure, so they can improve."
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Bartzuks. "The players come without energy", Photo: EPA
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