Olympiakos basketball players ended their 13-year wait and became champions of Europe for the fourth time in history by defeating Real Madrid 92-85 (19-26, 27-18, 15-21, 28-20) in the Sunday Euroleague final played at the Telekom Center in Athens.
Mario Hezonja was Real’s second scorer with 19 points, and added five assists, four rebounds and four steals. But it is in the final stage missed two three-pointers at key moments. Real’s best scorer was Trey Lyles, but he scored only three of his 24 points in the second half. Andres Feliz finished with 13 points.
Olympiakos led to the title Evan Fournier with 20 points and four assists and Alec Peters with 16 points and seven rebounds.
The Spanish squad is opened the game brilliantly and took a 15-3 lead in the 4th minute. At the end of the first quarter, Real had +7 and in the first attack of the second quarter, they again gained a double-digit advantage (29-19), but the team from nearby Piraeus reversed the results and went into halftime with a two-point lead (46-44).
It’s Real again belonged to the third quarter so Sergio Scariola’s team entered the last ten minutes with a four-point lead.
Even then it was quite clear that the winner would be decided in an uncertain ending.
It’s Mario Hezonja hit a three-pointer for 80-80 at 2:12 minutes before the end. But then the Croatian representative missed the next two at -4 (84-80) and at -6 (86-80) and it seemed that Real had no chance for a new title, especially when Evan Fournier hit free throws for 88-80 with 36 seconds left.
But the Spanish team almost made an incredible turnaround. With a combination of steals and offensive rebounds after intentionally missed free throws, Real had an open three-pointer at 88-85 to tie the game. But Andres Feliz missed with 13 seconds left, and Alec Peters hit all four free throws for the final 92-85.
This was for Real 22 Euroleague or Champions Cup finals in history, and now has 11 titles and 11 defeats in trophy matches. Olympiakos won their fourth title in the tenth final.
(Hina | Photo: Olympiacos BC)
