Olympiacos Falls in Game 3 but This Is No Time to Panic

Eurokinissi | Klodian Lato

In a highly anticipated Game 3 of the EuroLeague Playoffs, Olympiacos fell 80-72 to Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. What could have been a historic sweep to punch an early ticket to the Final Four is now a 2-1 series, and fans will have to wait at least one more game to see if their team can seal the deal without having to take the series back to Piraeus.

But beyond the final score, the game revealed much more than just a loss. It told a story of resilience, tactical missteps, and the psychological weight that comes with being a perennial contender.

A Scoreline That Doesn't Tell the Whole Story

On paper, an eight-point loss may seem straightforward. But as anyone who watched the game can attest, the score was padded by late-game free throws and frantic fouling. Olympiacos was in it until the final minute, showing the same grit and determination that earned them a 2-0 lead in the series.

What ultimately let them down was offensive execution. While Sasha Vezenkov delivered a strong performance, much of the burden was placed on his shoulders, and the supporting cast struggled to contribute meaningfully on the offensive end. Players like McKissic, Fall, and Milutinov (outside of the 2nd Quarter) were virtually non-factors, and the offense became predictable and overly reliant on one-on-one matchups, especially in trying to isolate Vezenkov in the post.

Madrid’s Adjustments: Desperation and Defense

Credit must go to Real Madrid. Facing elimination, they played with unmatched intensity. Their defense was ferocious, switching aggressively, closing down driving lanes, and forcing turnovers. It was, in many ways, a mirror image of Olympiacos at their defensive best.

Notably, head coach Chus Mateo trusted his bench in the fourth quarter, resting key players like Tavares and Campazzo until the final minutes while still maintaining control.

Rotations and the Peters Conundrum

One of the most pressing post-game discussions has centered around Alec Peters. The forward—who last season was Olympiacos’ leading scorer—played just 12 minutes and scored only three points. Fans and analysts alike have questioned why a proven scorer was sidelined while the team struggled offensively.

The answer lies in a logjam at the forward spots. With Vezenkov playing 34 minutes—justifiably so—there’s limited room for Peters at the 4. Playing him at the 5 is a defensive liability against Madrid’s size, and using him at the 3 requires sacrificing defensive specialists like McKissic or Papanikolaou.

Still, in a game where Olympiacos couldn’t crack 75 points, the argument for giving Peters more touches and minutes is a compelling one. In a must-win Game 4, finding a role for him could be crucial.

The Walkup-Goss Debate

Another area of scrutiny was the decision to close the game with Thomas Walkup, especially given his recent return from injury. While his calm presence and low turnover rate are valuable, he’s not the shot creator the team needed in crunch time. Williams-Goss, despite a strong start, faltered in the fourth quarter with multiple turnovers.

It’s a dilemma: go with the steady hand or the hot hand? Bartzokas opted for the former, possibly out of trust in Walkup’s composure and defensive capabilities.

No Need for Panic

In the wake of the loss, there's been an understandable wave of frustration and fear. Olympiacos fans, shaped by years of heartbreak and close calls, are quick to catastrophize. But this series is still firmly in their control.

They’ve beaten Madrid twice already in the Playoffs and four times out of five this season. Olympiacos still have two chances to close out the series. And should it come to a Game 5 in Piraeus, few would bet against the team in front of a roaring home crowd.

The takeaway? Sometimes you lose a game of basketball. Not every defeat signals systemic failure. Olympiacos remains one of the best-coached, best-balanced teams in Europe. The key now is composure—on the court and in the stands.

Game 4 awaits. So does redemption.

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