Barça 88-90 Olympiacos: Cruel defeat

The Euroleague battle in the Palau Blaugrana saw Barça go down to a 90-88 defeat against leaders Olympiacos in a game that was decided only in the final seconds. The blaugranes gave a good account of themselves against the Greek side ahead of a Copa del Rey campaign in the Canary Islands and the chance to claim some silverware. 

Before the game there was bad news for Barça coach Joan Peñarroya with Jan Vesely ruled out with a recurring knee injury. 

Great atmosphere

Despite the challenge of taking on the Euroleague leaders, Barça started well at home in the Palau and a three pointer kept them in the game at the end of the first quarter with the Greeks leading 22-18. In the second period both sides raised the level. Brizuela started to find his range and two three pointers helped Barça cut the lead to 28-26. Metu also added points from the bench and at half time, the blaugranes were just in front at 47-45. 

In the second Kevin Punter came to the fore, scoring two three pointers to give Barça a seven point lead an eight point lead at 53-45. However, a combination of Vezenkov and Fournier helped Olympiacos back into the game, and the Greeks swept back in front at 57-56.

The third quarter saw Batzokas' team pull away from Barça only for the home side to fight back in the final minutes of the contest. Kevin Punter brought the teams level at 88-88 with two free throws, however, Evan Fournier's basket with 16 seconds left gave the visitors the win. 

Barça's next game will be on Sunday at 6.30pm CET against Valencia in the ACB league, a final test before heading to the Canary Islands for the Copa del Rey.

MATCH STATS 

BARÇA, 88
OLYMPIACOS, 90

Barça: Punter (20), Satoransky (5), Fall (8), Parker (14), Parra (3) - starting five - Anderson (8), Brizuela (14), Metu (16), Hernangomez (0), Nuñez (0).

Olympiacos: Williams - Goss (20), Fall (4), Vezenkov (24), Papanikolaou (2), Fournier (18) - starting five - Mitrou - Long (0), Larentzakis (4), Peter (3), Milutinov (4), Mckissic (11).