Olympiacos has comfortably qualified for the semi-finals of the Greek championship. Today, the "red-and-whites" from Piraeus demolished Kolossos Rhodes 97-58 as visitors, winning the quarter-final playoff series 2-0. In the semi-finals, the champions will face either AEK or Aris, with the team from Athens currently leading the series 1-0.
Olympiacos dominated each quarter, leading by almost 30 points at halftime with a score of 55-27.
The Greek team's star player, Alexander Veshenkov, did not play today, as he missed the first game against Kolossos as well. Olympiacos coach Yorgos Bartzokas decided that there was no sense in risking the Bulgarian player, who has a minor leg injury, less than a week before the EuroLeague Final Four.
Olympiacos dominated each quarter, leading by almost 30 points at halftime with a score of 55-27. In Veshenkov’s absence, center Donata Hol had a standout performance with 21 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 9-for-9 from the field. Alexander Peters, who took Veshenkov's place in the lineup, scored 18 points, hitting 4 of 6 three-pointers, and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Taylor Dorsey contributed 15 points for Olympiacos. However, the team was also missing French guard Evan Fournier, American point guard Thomas Walkup with a Greek passport, and Serbian center Nikola Milutinov.
For the hosts, Brazilian player Gabriel Galvanini was the only double-digit scorer with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Following this win, Veshenkov and company will shift their focus entirely to the upcoming semi-final match of the EuroLeague Final Four.
Olympiacos is on fire! Vezenkov's absence didn’t faze them, but how will they fare in the EuroLeague Final Four without their star? Can they still make a statement without their go-to player?