Olympiacos are now in an embrace with the title in A1 women’s basketball after beating Panathinaikos (66-60) in one-two at “Pavlos Giannakopoulos”. The Red-Whites came back from -12 (41-29) in the third period with the weapon of zone defense but also the partnership of Megan Gustafson and Angeliki Nikolopoulou (ss: she made big baskets down the final stretch).

The reversal of the scene in favor of the Reds and Whites was completed in the fourth period when Eleni Capoyannis’ side went nearly five minutes without a point. And when it came down to possession, Angeliki Nikolopoulou was there to score five crucial points.

Megan Gustafson (26 points, 5 rebounds) was Olympiakos’ most valuable, while Angeliki Nikolopoulou (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) took a step forward down the final stretch. At Panathinaikos, Emily Potter (15 points) and Dionysia Alexandri (14 points) stood out on a night where Eleni Capogiannis saw two of their international athletes (Pinelopi Pavlopoulou & Eleanna Christinaki) finish with 10 points to 2/11 two-pointers and 2 /10 three hands).

Somehow Olympiacos beat “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” and with a 3-1 win in the A1 women’s basketball final series, they can feel they are about to return to the throne of champions.

The third final of the A1 women’s basketball takes place on Sunday, April 2nd at 2:00 p.m. in Hall 5 of the SEF.

The race

Panathinaikos started the game much better, taking full advantage of Olympiakos’ failure. The +11 (16-5 at 10′) in the first period typified the situation as Thanos Niklas’ team fired free shots but missed disappointingly.

The presence of Megan Gustafsson certainly helped the guests react, although the lead didn’t change hands. The Red-White team reached -2 ​​(29-27 at 18′) before the first half ended at +6 (33-27) for Panathinaikos.

After the break, Panathinaikos continued to control the game well, with the periphery being good and Antigoni Hairistanidou making the difference when he came on as a substitute. Eleni Kapogianni’s team had risen to +12 (41-29 at 22′) but things went much better for Olympiakos after that.

Thanos Niklas’ zone defense and the presence of Megan Gustafsson varied the facts of the derby. The Reds and Whites scored back-to-back points and completed an impressive turnaround to take the lead (49-54 at 35′). However, Panathinaikos didn’t give up, found the solutions (see three-pointer) and reduced the score to one point with 46” to go (60-61). However, the home side’s efforts were incomplete.

Angeliki Nikolopoulou hit big single baskets, Panathinaikos’ rim shots landed on the irons and Olympiacos defeated “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” (60-66) to take the decisive step to regaining the crown.

THE REFEREES: Frying pan – Tsimpouris – Fragouli.

THE DECADES: 16-5, 33-27, 49-43, 60-66.

PANATHINAICOS (Capoyannis): Reed, Kotoula, Pavlopoulou 3 (1/8 shots, 5 rebounds), Potter 15 (7/12 2-points, 1/2 shots, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Sotiriou 4 (10 rebounds, 2 assists ). ), Alexandri 14 (2), Christinaki 7 (2/8 twos, 1/5 trebles, 8 rebounds), Carter 9 (1/5 trebles, 11 assists), Theodoromanolakis, Hairistanidou 8 (4/ 5 two-pointers).

OLYMPIC (Niklas): Stamolambrou 4 (1/9 shots, 2/2 shots), Ayousso 16 (6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals), Spyridopoulou, Sirra, Gustafsson 26 (9/13 deuces, 1/1 treble). Pointer, 5/7 shots), Nikolopoulou 14 (4/7 twos, 2/4 threes), Diela, Suk 6 (8 rebounds).

Panathinaikos team statistics: 22/47 2-pointers, 5/21 3-pointers, 1/4 shots, 36 rebounds (27 defense + 9 offense), 19 assists, 12 turnovers, 3 steals, 3 blocks.

Olympiacos team statistics: 23/46 2-pointers, 3/12 3-pointers, 11/14 shots, 30 rebounds (26 defense + 4 offense), 16 assists, 8 steals, 11 turnovers, 1 block.