Reigning Euroleague champions Olympiacos were given a scare but eventually got the better of Stelmet Zielona Gora 79-77 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium to remain undefeated in Group C.
A three-pointer from Vangelos Mantazris with a second remaining spared the colour of their cheeks matching the colour of their jerseys as the Reds got the expected victory, but only just.
After a torrid start, and trailing 22-11, Olympiacos looked to seize the advantage back their way but failed. The Polish outsiders stayed in control and led all the way until a major collapse in the fourth quarter, which gave Olympiacos the opportunity they needed to get the win.
Georgios Printezis had 21 points to lead the winners.
“Games like this are the real advertising for basketball, but are too risky for us,” Printezis said afterwards. “It was proved once again that there are no easy games in the Euroleague and this is something we have to take into account.”
Vladimir Dragicevic led Stelmet Zielona Gora with 18 points as they drop to 1-4.
The other game in Group C saw injury-hit Galatasaray comfortably prevail 84-74 against a disappointing Bayern Munich side in Istanbul.
Pops Mensah-Bonsu was outstanding with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead Galatasaray to victory as they led by double-digits most of the way. Carlos Arroyo added 18 points for the winners, including six triples.
EA7 Milano kept Strasbourg winless by beating them 83-72 in the fashion capital.
Keith Langford hit 25 points as the Italians improve to 3-2 in Group B. All three of their wins have been at the venue for this year’s Final Four.
“We knew that Strasbourg was a consistent team, that suffered from a bad schedule, playing at home against Anadolu Efes and Madrid,” admitted Milano coach Luca Banchi.
“It was a very important victory for us, which allows to us to capitalize on the road win in Bamberg. Our opponents played with great physicality, but we tried to use all our energy.”
Louis Campbell led Strasbourg with 17 points.
Red Star Belgrade scored a vital 88-77 win at home to Lietuvos Rytas.
Slovenian international Jaka Blazic top scored with 16 points as Red Star improve to 2-3, while the Lithuanian side fall to 1-4 in Group D.
While Red Star won in the Serbian capital, their bitter rivals Partizan were convincing beaten 88-46 by a ruthless CSKA Moscow side in Russia.
The game was over from the first quarter as CSKA enjoyed a 21-10 lead which then ballooned further to 42-18 at half-time. The Russian champions won all four quarters and went 3-2 in Group A. Partizan dropped to 1-4.
Sonny Weems netted 18 for CSKA.
