The wink of the calendar has been wonderful for Barça when things were worst. After seven defeats in ten games, Grimau’s team faced five games in a row at the Palau and, so far, they have had four wins, waiting for the visit of Zalgiris this Friday. The last one, against a fighting Olympiacos, whom they distance in the standings.
Barça started with vigor, doubts put to rest and on the take-off ramp after their perfect week. This time he put intensity and desire in defense from the initial jump and the public, dedicated, appreciated it. Parker took over from Laprovittola, who was out at the last minute, once again forced to cut his Grimau rotation, and with a triple he opened the Barça scoreboard, cementing an immaculate first quarter, with 11 points to his name. Chicago’s points began to widen the gap against an Olympiacos team that had no answer. Vesely drew 18-7 (minute 6) which was the alarm clock for the Greeks.
Despite having lost two of its best men in the summer, Vezenkov and Sloukas, Bartzokas’ team – current runners-up in the Euroleague – remains a consolidated block, one of those tough to crack, and not devoid of talent. Like the one demonstrated by Alec Peters leading the reaction of his people.
Bartozkas was nervous, more protesting than usual, because his Olympiacos did not quite get going despite everything, turning the second quarter into an exchange of baskets with no clear destination. Parra was then the man to watch at Barça, his energy was contagious and every rebound he hunted down in attack was a carat of gold. But the Greek beast had awakened and Williams-Goss led the way until Brazdeikis, with a two plus one, even put his team ahead (40-41) shortly before the break.
After a few minutes hibernating and recharging his batteries, Parker burst back into the duel after the break to outline a brilliant start for Barça, which seemed to definitively break the duel when Willy scored 69-54 (minute 28). But already in that play the night began to get worse, with the referees threatening the eldest Hernangómez with technique. And the Blaugrana began to obsess over the referee’s decisions, including another technical one involving Vesely who had a hard time leaving the game in the middle of the Greek comeback. Between McKissic and Williams-Goss they signed a partial of 0-10 in the last act to close things (77-73) and sow nerves in the Palau. They were precious minutes for that reason, the tension was palpable in each play. They all seemed decisive. Despite their lack of success, Barça managed to secure a victory that a few weeks ago would have been a defeat due to dynamics alone. But now it is very positive for Grimau and his team, riding the wave of victory.
86. Barça (27 17 31 11): Satoransky (13), Brizuela (4), Kalinic (13), Parker (21), Vesely (8) -starting team-, Hernangómez (16), Jokubaitis (4), Da Silva (0), Parra (7), Sarr (0) and Paulí (0).
78. Olympiacos (20 21 22 15): Walkup (8), Canaan (8), Peters (22), Papanikolaou (-), Fall (8) -starting team-, Milutinov (4), Larentzakis (3), Sikma (0), McKissic (7), Williams-Goss (12) and Brazdeikis (6).
Referees: Matej Boltauzer (ESL), Milivoje Jovcic (SER) and Jakub Zamojski (POL). They eliminated local Vesely due to five fouls (min.36). They pointed out a technical foul to the local Hernangómez (min.28) and the local Vesely (min.36).
Incidents: matchday 20 of the Euroleague played at the Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona before 5,653 spectators.
