The men’s water polo got the third victory at home winning Jadran (13-9) and did another important step for the qualification to the final-8 in Hannover. After Spandau and Mladost, the European Champions beat Jadran and reached 11 points in the group. The ‘’Reds’’ face Jug Dubrovnik in the next two matches and try to claim the first position. 

Key action: 

Olymiacos led with 3-0 in the first two minutes of the game. Gounas boosted the margin to 3-0 before the Croatian team reduced to 3-2. Genidounias gave a two-goal lead again but Jadran closed to a goal (4-3). Gounas did 5-3 which was the score of the first period. Gounas was the player who scored first in the second period to increase the difference to three goals (6-3). The Croatians reduced to 6-5 but Fountoulis replied immediately before the end of the first half (7-5). The “Reds” was also dominant in the third quarter and increased their advantage to 9-5. In the last period, Olympiacos kept the game under control and finally, ensured the victory with 13-7. 

Key data: 

The quarters: 5-3, 2-2, 3-1, 3-1

Olympiacos (Thodoris Vlachos): Pavic, Mylonakis, Skoumpakis, Genidounias 4, Fountoulis 1, Nikolaidis, Dervisis 1, Buslje 1, Mourikis, Gounas 5, Argyropoulos 1, Obradovic, Galanopoulos, Kakaris

Jadran Split (Ivan Asic): Anic, Zovic 2, Krapic 1, Butic 2, Pejkovic, Power 1, Popovic 1, Viskovic, Milardovic, Setka, Podrug

Statements

The Head Coach Thodoris Vlachos stated at Olympiacosfp.gr: "Our performance had many ups and downs today. In the first three minutes, we scored three goals but the opponent replied with two easy ones immediately. I expected so a strange game as that against Ethnikos on Saturday. We lost our concentration during the Holidays but it is very important that we won today. We had some good attempts in the second half mainly, as we controlled our defense more than the first one. The next games again Jug are very important for the first position and the qualification. Jug is one of the best teams in our group and I think that there will be two very strong games. Of course, there is also the the Final-4 of the Greek Cup where we have to be ready for the title. It’s a difficult month as we have strong games in every 3-4 days and we have to be ready and relaxed”.  

Gounas mentioned: “It’s very important to play and find our rhythm here. We prove this in the most games and especially today, winning 13-7 against a team that hasn’t lost any game with more than two goals until now. In the third and the fourth quarters, we increased our pressure on defense and boosted the margin. Surely, the next games against Jug are very important. Jug is a good and experienced team. We have shown that we can control such games and get the victories. About the Greek Cup, it’s a different competition. Let’s go to win the title’’.