2012-13Final FourCHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Olympiacos Piraeus 100
Real Madrid 88
May 12, 2013 CET: 21:00
Local time: 20:00 O2 ARENA

Olympiacos repeats as Euroleague champion!

For the second year in a row, Olympiacos Piraeus roared back from a double-digit deficit to become the Turkish Airlines Euroleague champion. The Reds bested Real Madrid 100-88 at The O2 in London after trailing by 17 at the end of the opening quarter and in doing so became just the fourth team to win back-to-back Euroleague titles in the Final Four era. In something that has become characteristic of the Reds, they got tremendous contributions from their second unit, led by Kyle Hines and Pero Antic, to climb back. Then Euroleague MVP Vassilis Spanoulis heated up in the third quarter and Olympiacos dominated the final 10 minutes as thousands of red-clad fans sang and clapped the night away. Euroleague MVP Vassilis Spanoulis led the charge with 21 points – all in the second half! – as six Olympiacos players scored in double figures. Acie Law collected 20 points and dished 5 assists, Hines added 12 points, Kostas Sloukas 11 and Stratos Perperoglou and Antic scored 10 apiece. The title is the third continental crown in Olympiacos’s illustrious history. Before beating CSKA Moscow last season in Istanbul, it defeated FC Barcelona in the 1997 title game in Rome. Rudy Fernandez led Madrid with 21 points, Sergio Rodriguez scored 17 and Sergio Llull finished with 14. Madrid lost its first final since it defeated the Reds in the 1995 Euroleague final in Zaragoza, Spain, but remains European basketball’s winningest team with eight Euroleague titles.

First quarter: Madrid wows crowd with explosive start

Georgios Printezis opened the 2013 title game in the similar way he finished the one a year ago, with a baseline floater. However, Olympiacos did not generate much more offense in the early goings, as Madrid only allowed a Josh Powell jumper in a span of almost four minutes. Meanwhile, Madrid opened its account with back-to-back triples from Fernandez and Nikola Mirotic, before a layup by Mirza Begic after a behind-the-back pass from Fernandez put Los Blancos up 4-8. With Begic setting the defensive tone with 2 blocks in less than five minutes, Sergio Llull hit another triple and Mirotic finished a fastbreak with a layup for 5-13. After a timeout, a big dunk from Kostas Papanikolaou ended the Olympiacos drought, but a layup from Begic and a triple from Fernandez made it 7-20. Hines answered with a basket-plus-foul on the other end, but Llull countered with Madrid’s fifth triple of the quarter, and then added a driving layup high off the glass, before Fernandez’s fastbreak layup rounded out the first quarter scoring, making it 10-27 after 10 minutes.

Second quarter: Reds roar back behind aggressive second unit

Pero Antic started the scoring in the second quarter with a triple – the first for Olympiacos. Hines followed it up, muscling his way for a basket inside, before Perperoglou sank another shot from downtown to make it 18-27. After a timeout, Fernandez scored a pair of free throws to score the first points of the quarter for Madrid, but Perperoglou nailed a long jumper and Antic made a big two-handed slam cutting it to 22-29. As Olympiacos raised its defensive effort, Madrid was six minutes without a field goal before Reyes laid it in from close range. Madrid followed that up with a beautiful Fernandez-to-Reyes-to-Slaughter alley-oop, but Antic scored a layup after a big offensive rebound from Giorgi Shermadini for 28-33. After another timeout by Real Madrid, Rodriguez made a driving layup, but Law nailed a triple and made a fastbreak layup to help the Reds come within 34-37. In the final minute of the quarter, a pair of free throws from Rodriguez and a basket inside from Slaughter looked to give Madrid more breathing room, but Kostas Sloukas was fouled shooting a triple 0.8 seconds before the halftime, and with his 3 free throws made it 37-41 at the break.

Third quarter: All the makings of an instant classic

Law and Begic traded layups to kick off the third quarter, before Spanoulis nailed back-to-back triples – his first points of the game – to put the Reds in front 45-43. Mirotic answered with a shot off the glass, but Spanoulis continued his shine with his third triple on as many trips down the floor. Then, it was time for Hines to shine, scoring a put-back on one end before making a spectacular block on a Mirotic fastbreak layup on the other. Law grabbed the loose ball and raced for a layup and a 52-46 edge. After a timeout, Madrid found some of its offensive rhythm and went inside to Slaughter, who made a tough basket, but it was Fernandez back in the main role, getting a roll on a baseline floater and sinking a triple to put his team back in the lead, 55-56. Before the quarter’s end, Hines delivered 2 blocks on Fernandez, and made a layup for the Reds, but 2 free throws from Rodriguez made the score 61-61 going into the final 10 minutes.

Fourth quarter: The champs pull away and party

A tough turnaround jumper from Perperoglou opened the quarter. After Law made 4 free throws, Spanoulis hit a three-pointer to make it 70-62, making the Olympiacos faithful go wild. Madrid found an answer in Jaycee Carroll who hit a three, but Perperoglou replied right back with a triple and Sloukas added a jumper. Shermadini’s basket-plus-foul and a pair of free throws from Spanoulis gave the Reds their first double-digit lead of the game, 80-70 with exactly five minutes to go. A layup from Antic before a timeout, and a fastbreak dunk from Papanikolaou after it, extended the margin to 14. Rodriguez made a jumper, only Madrid’s second field goal of the quarter, but a layup from Printezis kept Olympiacos’s lead safe, 87-73. As the Reds started to run out the clock, Rodriguez made 4 from the foul line and hit a baseline jumper to keep Madrid’s hopes alive, but Spanoulis sank a three-pointer from way downtown for 90-79, essentially sealing the deal. Before game’s end, players from both teams went on several trips to the free throw line, as Sloukas, Spanoulis and Antic combined to go 5 of 6 to keep the Olympiacos lead safe.

copa
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Euroleague.net
Referees: CEREBUCH, GUERRINO; BELOSEVIC, ILIJA; RYZHYK, BORYS
Attendance: 15169
By Quarter1234
Olympiacos Piraeus10272439
Real Madrid27142027
End of Quarter1234
Olympiacos Piraeus103761100
Real Madrid27416188
Olympiacos Piraeus
  Rebounds Blocks Fouls
# Player Min Pts 2FG 3FG FT O D T As St To Fv Ag Cm Rv PIR
4 HINES, KYLE 25:41 12 4/4   4/5 1 4 5 3   2 3   4 4 20
5 LAW, ACIE 33:55 20 3/4 1/2 11/13 1 4 5 5   1     2 8 31
6 ANTIC, PERO 24:59 10 3/5 1/4 1/2   6 6 2       1 3 2 10
7 SPANOULIS, VASSILIS 32:03 22 0/3 5/9 7/10   2 2 4   4   2 4 5 13
8 PERPEROGLOU, STRATOS 12:33 10 2/2 2/5     1 1   2 1     4 2 7
9 SHERMADINI, GIORGI 6:22 3 1/1   1/1 1   1 2   1     2 1 4
10 SLOUKAS, KOSTAS 15:46 11 2/3 0/1 7/7         1 1     4 4 9
12 POWELL, JOSH 6:09 2 1/1     1   1     1       1 3
13 GECEVICIUS, MARTYNAS DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
15 PRINTEZIS, GEORGIOS 16:49 5 2/3 0/1 1/2 1 2 3 1   1   1 3 1 2
16 PAPANIKOLAOU, KOSTAS 21:28 5 2/4 0/2 1/2   3 3 1 1     1 2 2 4
19 KATSIVELIS, DIMITRIS 4:15               1             1
Team           1 2 3               3
Totals 200:00 100 20/30 9/24 33/42 6 24 30 19 4 12 3 5 28 30 107
        66.7% 37.5% 78.6%
Head coach: BARTZOKAS, GEORGIOS
Min: Minutes played; Pts: Points; 2FG M-A: 2-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); 3FG M-A: 3-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); FT M-A: Free Throws (Made-Attempted); Rebounds: O (Offensive), D (Defensive), T (Total); As: Assists; St: Steals; To: Turnovers; Bl: Blocks (Fv: In Favor / Ag: Against); Fouls: Cm (Commited), Rv (Received); PIR: Performance Index Rating
Real Madrid
  Rebounds Blocks Fouls
# Player Min Pts 2FG 3FG FT O D T As St To Fv Ag Cm Rv PIR
4 DRAPER, DONTAYE 5:17     0/2                   3   -5
5 FERNANDEZ, RUDY 30:34 21 2/7 3/6 8/10 2 1 3 3 2 1 1 2 5 8 20
8 SUAREZ, CARLOS 20:41 5 1/2 0/1 3/4 2 2 4   1       1 2 8
9 REYES, FELIPE 21:27 4 1/2   2/6 3 3 6 1         4 5 7
12 MIROTIC, NIKOLA 22:07 7 2/4 1/2     3 3     2 1 1 4   1
13 RODRIGUEZ, SERGIO 17:42 17 3/5 0/1 11/12 1 2 3 4 1 4     1 6 22
15 HETTSHEIMEIR, RAFAEL DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
16 BEGIC, MIRZA 10:47 6 3/3               1 3   3   5
20 CARROLL, JAYCEE 16:25 5 0/1 1/3 2/2   2 2     1     3 1 1
23 LLULL, SERGIO 31:30 14 1/4 4/8     3 3 4   2     4 1 9
44 SLAUGHTER, MARCUS 23:30 9 4/4   1/2   3 3   1       5 2 9
Team           1 3 4     1         3
Totals 200:00 88 17/32 9/23 27/36 9 22 31 12 5 12 5 3 33 25 80
        53.1% 39.1% 75%
Head coach: LASO, PABLO

Head Coaches

BARTZOKAS, GEORGIOS
Olympiacos Piraeus
2Life makes beautiful stories and I want to thank everybody that belongs to Olympiacos. We had a very difficult time throughout the year. It was a very difficult situation with injuries and people were talking against us. But we reached the summit again. Our character is of a team that never gives up. We can play different types of basketball. We can score 60 points like against Moscow or 100 in the next game. We were united and we are a big example for all of Greece that we can make miracles.

The fact that Olympiacos turns games around has happened many times this season. We do not panic. We have a way to come back in games. We have players with a character. They have soul. I just tried to encourage them. Real started very strongly. We felt a shock. The team plays a very different game than we play. Real is a very talented team. We said that we have to make sure that we take the defensive rebounds. And then there was Vassilis. In the second half we thought it was impossible for Spanoulis not to be extremely good.

I was in the right place at the right time with this team. I was lucky to lead a team that has shown so many times that it has great talent and plays in a great way. I just managed the situation with my coaching staff and achieved this great moment.

Everything is God’s will, but God and luck are with people who try to do things.

It’s very honorable to consider Olympiacos one of the best teams in the Euroleague. This result shows that we are one of the best. We spoke about the talent, but the best thing about this team is that it works very hard individually and as a team. They accept that they have to work very hard.

The Serbian coaches who achieved the previous titles with Greek teams helped Greek basketball. They brought the knowledge. We say there is a school of coaches and there is a great character. I’m very lucky, but in my face is the face of the Greek coach. I hope there is a continuation and many coaches will achieve more titles."
LASO, PABLO
Real Madrid
"Like I always do, I congratulate them for the championship. They played a great game. It was very competitive from the beginning. And they are the true champion, because they had a great year all around. After that I cannot even have a bad word about my team. My team gave everything they had from inside from the first moment this competition started. I told them in the locker room today. We feel like shit now, but we should be very proud about what this team has been doing in this competition the entire year. This is a sad day. But to lose finals you have to be in finals. And that’s what I told my team. I want to thank the people from Madrid. We couldn’t have made it this far without them. I think they should also be proud of this team because I am the coach and am proud of them."
"It was a game with a lot of physical contact, with a lot of speed. It was a great game. We started off playing very good. Our defensive plan was working perfect at the beginning of the game. We were making tough shots. And to me we had too much of an advantage. They will talk about the big difference, but it wasn’t that big of a difference. They were missing shots and we were making shots. They only had one way to come back. And they did."
"The first three plays of the third quarter made the difference. Spanoulis made three three-pointers in a row. And in the end, they were able to control the difference in the score. They are the champions."

Players

SPANOULIS, VASSILIS
Olympiacos Piraeus
“It was an unbelievable three days in London. We came as champion, but also an outsider. You know the budget and the difficult season we had after being a champion and then playing so many games. We had our backs against the wall so many times. There was a lot of discussion, but this was good because it made us stronger. We overturned many games like today. We beat two great teams, and we deserve to be at the top of Europe."

“The last two games have been very difficult for me. I always faced two or three players on me. But this is my role. I attract players on me to open up other players. I tried to look and find out what would be the best solution and try to see what Real Madrid was doing and I was better in the second half."

“We know that a game lasts 40 minutes and not 10 minutes. We did it before. We were down 15 against Efes and that gave us wings to continue fighting."

“Scoring 100 points in a final is a big achievement. This team has amazing chemistry. Everyone knows his role. Coach came into a difficult situation. We remained united in the locker room. You can see that the character is excellent. We feel like a family and we are a family."

“We just want to enjoy this. It doesn’t happen every day. It took us 15 years to win a title and now we have one two years in a row.”
PERPEROGLOU, STRATOS
Olympiacos Piraeus
"I feel great! This is an amazing feeling! This is my third Euroleague title and I feel really great, it is hard to describe! For the second time in a row, Olympiacos is at the top of Europe. It is a really hard thing to do. I feel blessed; I don't know what to say. We were down by 17, but never lost control. This team never gives up!"
HINES, KYLE
Olympiacos Piraeus
"I mean, there is no words! We deserved this, we worked really hard and getting the Euroleague title for the second consecutive year... I am speechless right now! We were down 17 points, but were able to have our own run, come back and win the game. We are back-to-back champions! I really can't describe how I feel! Defense is always key, but we did what we could in offense and scored 100 points! It is amazing!"
ANTIC, PERO
Olympiacos Piraeus
"This is amazing, this team is unbelievable. With this team chemistry, we could beat anybody. Everybody saw the way we played together, it was incredible. Repeating the Euroleague title is history and we did that together, all of us. This really could not be better. We had to rally to win the game and did it. Same as last year! I feel perfect; even happier than last season!"
SHERMADINI, GIORGI
Olympiacos Piraeus
"This is very exciting. I joined the team in the middle of the season and we won the Euroleague. I don't know how many people thought we could do it, but we're here and we're celebrating. It's an amazing feeling that I wish every person in the world could feel this way. I just want to enjoy this moment as much as possible."
PRINTEZIS, GEORGIOS
Olympiacos Piraeus
"It's a very special feeling. It was a very different game from last season obviously, but we still had to come back and win this game in style. We're all very, very excited and can't think of something better than this. I can't compare the feeling from last season. In both cases it feels just great, but in a different way maybe. We're very excited and proud to have won this title."
LAW, ACIE
Olympiacos Piraeus
"We did it again. It's an amazing feeling. We didn't stop to believe for one second, and that's what makes this team special. To win back to back is really crazy. I'm so happy and proud to be part of this team. We were down by 17 in the first quarter, but made it back to win this game. Everybody on this team deserves credit. We changed coaching staff. We brought in some new players. But we stayed the same. We're always Olympiacos."
SLOUKAS, KOSTAS
Olympiacos Piraeus
"Unbelievable. It's really unbelievable. We were behind and came back like we did so many times before. To win back to back Euroleague championships is something very few teams managed to do. We're proud to be in that very prestigious group of clubs. Our fans support us all the time and they deserve this feeling. We're extremely proud to make it happen for them and for us. Real Madrid was a tough opponent, but we came back and showed what kind of team we have."
GECEVICIUS, MARTYNAS
Olympiacos Piraeus
"It's an unbelievable feeling. To win the Euroleague championship is huge and we did it twice in a row. In the last two years we came back from behind so many times that it's not something special we did today, only it was in a championship game. It's a great team and a great organization. Olympiacos and our amazing fans deserve this trophy so much. We'll travel back to Greece now and enjoy the celebrations tonight as much as possible."
PAPANIKOLAOU, KOSTAS
Olympiacos Piraeus
"I will put it in a few words; this team cannot lose a final! This is crazy, it's unbelievable! We did it again! We came here just to fight for the best result we could get. Not only did we win the Euroleague and defend the title, you look at the scoreboard and we scored 100 points! I really can't say more. The scoreboard is up there!"
KATSIVELIS, DIMITRIS
Olympiacos Piraeus
“This is amazing! I cannot describe it in words. It is everybody's dream to repeat as the Euroleague winner. I feel amazing! We didn't play so well in the beginning and didn't put too much effort and energy in the game. We improved our defense in the second half, made the open shots and won the game. It is too early to know which of the two Euroleague titles is more special. I am very happy and want to enjoy this moment!"
POWELL, JOSH
Olympiacos Piraeus
"This is a blessing. We played hard all year! This is the biggest accomplishment; being able to come over here and get the Euroleague championships, helping the team to win it again. For this team it is an amazing thing to do. We never gave up! We never gave up not only tonight, but all season. It was a tough game. Madrid is a really good team but we were able to get it done."
LLULL, SERGIO
Real Madrid
"We had a good Euroleague. This is a young, ambitious team. We want to go back to the Euroleague final next season and try to win it. When you play a final like this, you have to leave everything you have on the court. We had a great start, but maybe ran out of batteries too early. They returned to the game before the break and have more experience in close, important games like this. They played better and deserved to win. We had a good Euroleague, but it is tough now because we lost the final. We cannot allow 100 points. It was not our best game, but we have to learn from this."
FERNANDEZ, RUDY
Real Madrid
"We tried to be aggressive this game. They started going inside more after we started getting into foul trouble. That worked for them, and Olympiacos has a lot of experience in these games and in these situations. We have to learn from this for the next season."
CARROLL, JAYCEE
Real Madrid
"We got a good lead as they did not make anything, and we made everything. Then they started to get their shots in. They are here for a reason, they have guys that are going to fight, they are going to make shots, and they made shots in the second quarter. They got within 7, and then we made a silly foul on a three-pointer that cut the lead to 4 at halftime. We were still in control of the game, but what I think really changed the game was when Spanoulis came out and hit three triples and that forced us to change our defense a little bit. That left other openings for them."
SLAUGHTER, MARCUS
Real Madrid
"We started on fire, then we cooled down. Basketball is a game of runs, we made a big run at the beginning, but we slowed down and could not make any more shots. They are a great team and they deserve this victory. They came back and showed a heart of a champion. They made big shots, MVP Spanoulis made big shots. Unfortunately, we are not the champions, it is a tough pill to swallow."