Olympiacos started with a victory against Padova in the preliminary round of Euroleague held in Piraeus. It was a balanced and exciting game but finally, Olympiacos took the three points winning 10-7. On Saturday, the ‘’Reds’’ face Uralotcka for the second game of the group.

Key action: 

Eleftheria Plevritou scored the first goal of the game and Gottardo equalised a minute later. Asimaki exploited the woman-up and gave the lead to Olympiacos again. Pantova replied with Queirolo but Asimaki continued its great performance with another goal (3-2). After a failing penalty by Avramidou, two goals by Tielmann and Barzon led Pantova to 3-4. Tsoukala did a goal for 4-4 which was the score of the first period. The second period began with  Diamantopoulou's great save in Queirolo’s penalty shoot-out, and then Emmolo put Olympiacos ahead 5-4. Eleftheriadou stop the counterattack of Padova and kept the red lead until the last two minutes of the quarter when Casson tied 5-5. 

This score remained until the middle of the third quarter. Avramidou scored for Olympiacos but Tielmann replied. Then, Eggens did her first goal three minuted before the end of the period (7-6). Barzon tied to 7-7 on the woman-up but the Reds’ reaction was immediate with the central forward, Asimaki scored (8-7). Olympiacos started the last quarter ideally with Tsoukala scoring the second personal goal and giving a two-goal lead to the team (9-7). A great save by Diamantopoulou and the excellent defensive performance kept the lead for the ‘’Reds’’. Emmolo widened the margin (10-7) five minutes before the end which was the final score of the game. 

Match data: 

The quarters:  4-4, 1-1, 3-2, 2-0

Goals: 

1st quarter: 1-0 El. Plevritou (06:17), 1-1 Gottardo (05:02), 2-1 Asimaki (04:33), 2-2 Queirolo (03:24), 3-2 Asimaki (02:48), 3-3 Tielmann (01:21), Barzon (00:52), 4-4 Tsoukala (00:19)

2nd quarter: 5-4 Emmolo (05:13), 5-5 Casson (02:15)

3rd quarter: 6-5 Avramidou (04:34), 6-6 Tielmann (03:27), 7-6 Eggens (03:05), 7-7 Barzon (00:40), 8-7 Asimaki (00:25)

4th quarter: 9-7 Tsoukala (07:30), 10-7 Emmolo (04:52)

Squads: 

Olympiacos (Teocharis Pavlides): Diamantopoulou, El. Plevritou 1, Eggens 1, Eleftheriadou, Manolioudaki, Avramidou 1, Asimaki 3, M. Plevritou, Emmolo 2, B. Plevritou, Tsoukala 2, Myriokefalitaki, Stamatopoulou 

Plebiscito Padova (Stefano Posterivo): Teani, Barzon 2, Savioli, Gottardo 1, Queirolo 1, Casson 1, Millo, Dario, Sohi, Chiappini, Nencha, Tielmann 2, Giacon

Quotes: 

Pavlides said: ‘’A positive start.’’ 

‘’We started very nervously, we conceded four goals in the first period and three ones in the rest of the game. It was expected as we missed the games and were anxious because it was the first game and we knew that it was important for the first position. Once we found a little rhythm, our defence became better and stronger. We pressed the Italian team since the first minute and they failed to score many shots because of their fatigue. I am happy with the final result but now with the overall performance of the team. I hope that we will be better in the next game, Padova is the Italian Champion and a team with great quality. I think that it was a positive start and tomorrow, we will be better.’’

Asimaki stated: ‘’The best team won.’’

‘’It is logical that the best team leads in the last period. Our plan was to be strong on the defence, press the opponent and finally, we led in the last quarter. As far as the arbitration is concerned, it was a strange game. Some things worked well and in the last period, we scored three goals. Now, we focus on the next game. The tomorrow game against Uralochka is difficult. Both the Italian and Russian team are very strong but have different tactical game. The Italians play much closed and the Russians focus more on the pressing. Uralochka is a team that we don’t know. We need to be serious and concentrated so as to make the next step. Our goal is to take the first position in the group".