If not for the incredible defeat in the Super Cup final against Real Madrid, in which a spectacular comeback by Pablo Laso’s men could not stop in the second half, Barça would be enjoying an immaculate start to the season. Unbeaten leader in Endesa League (6-0) and Euroleague, where they have won the first two games by a +40 total.
Today, his good health is being reviewed against Olympiacos, who are trying to green their laurels in Europe (follow the game live on AS.com). He has not played in the quarter-finals since 2018, but he has started very strong: also 2-0, like the Catalans, after defeating the other two Spanish representatives, Baskonia and Real Madrid. Today closes this beginning to the spanish at the Palau, where he arrives with old acquaintances: the coach, Georgios Bartzokas, and two already classics like Sasha Vezenkov (at a high level) and Kostas Papanikolaou. With its classic hallmarks, the Piraeus team has exhibited a formidable defense: 50 points from Baskonia, 68 from Madrid. And 14.6% in triples between the two. Against that, the attack for now excellent (88 points and 59% in triples on average) of a Barça that recovers Nikola Mirotic, who did not play in Seville against Betis.
The match will be the 101st official for Sarunas Jasikevicius on the Barça bench. The Lithuanian turned 100 in Seville with a spectacular percentage: 79% of victories (79 for 21 defeats). He has managed to revitalize, it was his great goal, culé basketball, and last season he won the double (League and Cup) and reached the Euroleague final after putting the team in their first Final Four since 2014. Curiously, it resists him the Super Cup (two lost finals). In Euroleague, his balance is 30 wins and 13 losses. To that he adds 44-6 in the League, 3-0 in the Cup and 2-2 in the Super Cup. For now, an excellent performance with a clear dream between eyebrows: the third Euroleague for a club in which he helped win the first, as a player in 2003.