Sasha Vezenkov Olympiacos
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball

Olympiacos opened its EuroLeague campaign in ideal fashion, pulling off a hard-fought victory over Baskonia at the Buesa Arena.

The win, which marked a perfect start to the season, was built on two key elements: outstanding efficiency at the free throw line, where the team converted an impressive 31 of 32 attempts, and standout performances from Nikola Milutinov and Sasha Vezenkov.

Vezenkov, who had a dominant showing with 24 points and 13 rebounds, praised his teammate Milutinov afterward, calling him one of the league’s premier big men.

“Not that he is my friend, but he is one of the best centers in the Euroleague. He is very important to us,” the former MVP said, underlining how central Milutinov’s presence is for Olympiacos.

For his part, Milutinov was equally pleased with how his team started the new season.

“It’s very important to start with a win in the Euroleague,” the Serbian center said after the final buzzer, reflecting on the significance of earning a road win against a tough Baskonia side in Vitoria.

Milutinov was one of Olympiacos’ most effective contributors on the night, finishing with 12 points on efficient shooting (4/4 two-pointers and 4/7 free throws), while also grabbing 14 rebounds, collecting a steal, and registering a performance index rating (PIR) of 27 in just under 25 minutes of action (24:42).

Speaking to EuroLeague TV following the game, he emphasized how important it was to begin the campaign on a strong note.

“It’s a very good start, and starting with a win in the Euroleague is very important. Anyone who has played in Vitoria knows that Baskonia is a very tough opponent at home. We did it, we got the win, and that’s what counts,” he explained.

Milutinov also highlighted the depth and balance of the Olympiacos roster, pointing out that success will require contributions from every corner of the team.

“We need all the players, there is a lot of quality and everyone is needed in every game,” he added, stressing the collective effort that will be necessary if the club is to sustain its ambitions across the long season.

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