By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After consecutive losses to Paris and Crvena Zvezda, Olympiacos returned to form against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Piraeus.
Georgios Bartzokas’ side defeated Dusko Ivanovic’s team at home 87-77, thanks to standout performances from Sasha Vezenkov and Evan Fournier.
The 2023 EuroLeague MVP recorded a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Fournier contributed a well-rounded game with 20 points, seven assists, and five boards. Alec Peters followed with 12 points and eight rebounds.
“It was tough as we had a very bad performance last week and we knew that we didn’t play well the last two or three games,” Vezenkov told EuroLeague TV after the final buzzer. “We started well but the second quarter was terrible and at halftime, we knew we had to start over again.
For Virtus Bologna, playing without Tornike Shengelia, Marco Belinelli scored 20 and Matt Morgan added 15 points.
After this result, Olympiacos is tied with Zalgiris, Bayern, and Fenerbahce with a 10-6 record between the third and the sixth spot of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings, while Virtus dropped to 3-13.
A good start and a good finish for the Reds
From the opening minutes, Olympiacos set the pace, jumping to an early 11-3 lead and extending it to 25-7, signaling their determination to secure the home victory.
However, Ivanovic’s team fought back, overturning the score by halftime to lead 43-46 after 20 minutes. Olympiacos regained control in the third quarter, re-establishing a solid lead (64-56).
Despite Virtus’ efforts, when the score was 79-64 midway through the final period, it was clear the Piraeus team was firmly on course to win the game, as they did.