Having an excellent defensive performance, Olympiacos won Sepsi 67-56 and qualified to the top 16 of EuroCup. The ‘’Reds’’ imposed their rhythm from the beginning of the game with Maltsi scoring 17 points and Macaulay adding 16.

Key action: 

Kaltsidou shined early with a goal-foul but Sepsi replied with a 7-0 run. A three-point shot by Chatzinikolaou and a drive by Kaltdisod went the ‘’Legend’’ ahead again 8-7. Then, Olympiacos run an 8-2 streak to boost the margin to +9 (17-9) and the first quarter ended 17-12. Macaulay put two free throws and Maltsi joined a three-point shot to make it a double-digit game, 22-12 early in the second quarter.  Olympiacos stayed concentrated to the defensive plan and didn’t allow Sepsi to react which didn’t score for four minutes. Kaltsidou, Macaulay and Maltsi fueled a 10-0 run to boost Olympiacos’ lead, 37-16, at halftime. 

Olympiacos started the third quarter with the same way. The free throw of Macaulay and Kaltsidou and a drive by Maltsi increased the difference to +25 (43-18). Sepsi reacted with a 8-0 run but Maltsi hit a triple again (51-28). Marshal achieved to reduce the margin below the twenty points (55-36) at the end of third quarter. The bad offensive choices of Olympiacos players allowed Sepsi to close more (59-45) at 35’. The ‘’Legend’’ continued to be scoreless and the Romanian team kept close (61-52). Then, Chatzinikolaou hit a triple to ensure the victory and the qualification for the ‘’Reds’’. 

Match data:

The quarters: 17-12, 37-16, 55-38, 67-56

Statistics: 

Olympiacos (Missas): Mazic 3 (1), Stamati, Chatzinikolaou 12 (1/1 3p., 3 reb., 5 as.), Maltsi 17 (4/7 3p.), Nikolopoulou, Sotiriou 6 (7 reb., 1 st.), Anderson (5 reb.), Macaulay 16 (1/1 3p, 9 reb.), Spyridopoulou 2, Kaltsidou11 (3 reb., 2 as.).

ASC Sepsi (Mikes): Webb 11 (2), Fontaine 1, Kilin, Hamilton-Carter 3, Dzankic 8 (2), Kress 9, Marshal 15, Parau 9, Stoenescu, Hutanu.

Quotes:

Missas stated: ‘’It was a great victory. We had a good defensive performance in the first half and followed our plan absolutely. I regard that our defense made the difference when we made some mistakes and finally we got the result to qualify to the next stage. Now I believe that the games will be harder and we hope to play well against a good team. Now we have to focus on the next game for the Greek Cup. We ought to be concentrated especially on the offense.’

Maltsi said: ‘’We are very satisfied with the result as we had a good performance. We had a great teamwork and that’s the reason we qualified to the next round. Congratulations to Sepsi for the effort.’’