Olympiacos had an excellent performance in the fourth quarter and got a draw against Wisla at the ‘’Peace and Friendship Stadium’’ in the first game of the Euroleague qualifying round.  Although the ‘’Reds’’ were back for 16 points, achieved to reduce the margin to ten ones at the end of the third quarter and finally, Pavolopoulou tied the game at the last second making an incredible overthrow,. Katerina Sotiriou and Pavlopoulou were the top scorers with 12 points while Thomas and Johnson added ten ones. 

Key action

Olympiacos was ahead with seven points (15-8) at the first minutes of the game. Then, Wisla replied with a 9-0 run taking the lead and the quarter ended 17-19. The second quarter was balanced and Olympiacos equalized to 23-23 but Wisla kept a three-point lead at the end of the first half (29-32). 

Wisla was better in the third quarter and increased the margin to +10 (33-43). The Polish team ran a 12-0 streak until Sotiriou scored with a drive for 35-49. At the end of the period, Thomas and Sotiriou did two shots reducing to 41-51. Olympiacos continued to score and reduced to 5 points twice. Two three-point shots by Thomas and Sotiriou gave the lead to the Greek team with 56-55 for the first time in the second half. Pavlopoulou boosted the margin to +4 but Conde replied with a three-point shot. The Wisla player did another one to tie the game 55 seconds before the end. The teams failed in their next attacks and Conde scored again for 61-63. The coach Pantelakis called a time-out to plan the last offense and Pavlopoulou scored for the final 63-63. 

Match data

The quarters: 17-19, 29-32, 41-51, 63-63

Olympiacos (Pantelakis): 12 Pavlopoulou, Sotiriou 12, Spyridopoulou 6 (2), Stamati 6, Thomas 10 , Johnson 10 (8 rebounds), Kosma, Mazic 5 (6 rebounds)

Wisla Krakow (Szewczyk): Canada 10, Conde 14 (2), Oroszova 6 (2), Araujo 7 (1), Manso 13 (2), Jakubiuk, Mujovic

Statements

Giorgos Pantelakis stated: "It was a very hard game as the teams weren’t prepared appropriately because of the World Cup. We have to work on our weaknesses very hard in order to be able to win the rematch in Poland on Friday’’. 

Katerina Sotiriou underpinned: "I am very pleased with our comeback after the bad third quarter. I am also very happy to play in such a court having the great support of our fans. We would like to thank them very much as their support was very important for us to get a positive result. The rematch will be very difficult and have to win’’. 

The Wisla coach, Krzysztof Szewczyk, said: "The end was disappointing. We were 16 points ahead, but Olympiacos overturned the match. We have a problem on our defense. We will play the second part in our home and hope that we will get the qualification there’’. 

Maria Conde mentioned: "It was a tough game. We came to compete in a difficult court in Athens with lots of fans. I think that we were good today but have to be better at our home to win the qualification’’.