Credit: Olympiacos BC
Credit Olympiacos BC

Olympiacos Piraeus came to Monaco with one thing in mind - how to get at least one win. Well, after beating the hosts 87-84 in Game 3, their mission in the Principality seems to be over.

Player of the Game
Aleksandr  Vezenkov
EFF
24
Aleksandr Vezenkov
Points 17
Accuracy 4-9
Rebounds 9
Assists 2

Not for Giorgos Bartzokas and his players, though. The prevailing sentiment in the Reds' camp right after Game 3 was one of relief, not of excitement.

Celebrations stayed mainly on the court when players, Bartzokas and the team's front office had a brief moment before Kostas Sloukas headed to Olympiacos's fans for a gesture of gratitude. 

Roughly 50 Greeks were among the 4.000 who watched the game at the Gaston Medecin on Wednesday night. Monaco's fans were louder than usual and saw their team make a great comeback after being down by 15 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. 

In his postgame statements, Bartzokas couldn't but acknowledge the hosts' effort to stay alive, fighting tooth and nail.

"I really appreciate this win mainly because I respect Monaco a lot," he said.

"It's a team that deserves to be here. They never gave up. In fact, they managed to come back with big and tough shots. They put a lot of pressure on us mentally, but I'm really proud of my players because they stayed calm at the end and did the right things to get us to victory."

Echoing the attitude that Olympiacos (must) maintain ahead of Game 4 and a potential Game 5 (in case the series returns to Piraeus), Bartzokas pointed out that his team leading the series 2-1 doesn't really mean much. 

"It's just 2-1," he cynically noted. "I really think it will be a very tough playoff series, probably the most difficult in the EuroLeague this season. We will play Friday's game in the same spirit and will see what the future holds for us," he added in the presence of the club's presidents and owners, Panagiotis and Giorgos Angelopoulos.

The two brothers traveled to Monaco literally at the last minute, but in time to attend Game 3. Their wish is to see Olympiacos return to a Final Four for the first time since 2017. For it to happen, the Reds should most likely repeat an offensive outburst like the one they had in Game 3, despite wasting five free throws in the first half alone. 

"It's a very important victory for us, especially after the defeat in the second game," Bartzokas thinks.

"We came here determined to play our game. Although we made mistakes because of Monaco's 40-minute pressing, we managed to win."

After an underwhelming Game 2 performance, it was time for Thomas Walkup to step up and become one of his team's cornerstones. The American guard logged 13 points on 3/6 shooting from the field, 5/5 free throws, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.

As it happened in Game 1, he also took Mike James off the game. Walkup expects Game 4 "to be tougher because Monaco are now playing with their backs against the wall. It's a knockout match for them."

Walkup is certain that the hosts will do their best, which means that Olympiacos should be able to respond with more intensity and toughness.

Kostas Papanikolaou overcame a bad first half to turn into an important factor in the two last quarters.

The Greek international scored 7 points, but his contribution is best appreciated when non-scoring stats are taken into consideration. The 32-year-old forward had 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 3 assists, putting his vast experience to the team's service. 

"It was a tough game, but nothing's finished. It's an important win because we got our home court advantage back," Papanikolaou told Greek broadcaster NOVASPORTS.

Explaining how Olympiacos conceded a 12-0 run that allowed Monaco to get back to the game, Papanikolaou said that the team from the Principality play at full throttle from the first to the last minute.

"The point was for us to keep our composure. Today we did that brilliantly, in both halves."

As for the upcoming Game 4, Papanikolaou argues that -in contrast to the first three- it can be decisive, as it can get you to the Final Four.

He even revealed what players discuss with each other in the locker room.

"We have said that we shouldn't forget that we have lost twice to Monaco by twenty points."

Papanikolaou definitely hasn't forgotten about how much Olympiacos have suffered at the hands of Monaco this season. 

But what matters right now is that on Friday, Olympiacos "have a chance to be in the Final Four." 

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AS Monaco
Olympiacos Piraeus
44%
29/66
Field goals
51%
28/55
31
Rebounds
36
15
Assists
15
7
Steals
5
8
Turnovers
15
32%
9/28
3-pointers
42%
10/24

Best players

Dwayne  Bacon
23 PTS
9/18 FG
0/2 FT
Konstantinos  Sloukas
21 PTS
7/9 FG
5/6 FT
Will  Thomas
8 REB
5 DREB
3 OREB
Aleksandr  Vezenkov
9 REB
6 DREB
3 OREB
Mike  James
8 As
2 TO
35 MIN
Thomas  Walkup
6 As
1 TO
31 MIN
Mike  James
22 EFF
0% 2P%
17% 3P%
Aleksandr  Vezenkov
24 EFF
50% 2P%
40% 3P%