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Oleson's questionable performance deemed crucial

Barcelona's guard is questionable for today and the first two games proved how important he actually is Barcelona's game. Oly rarely lose games like these home and that could turn out crucial in this match

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Game one of this QF series was a one-sided win, but only two days later, Olympiacos proved that Barcelona will have a tough time making it into the Final Four. The Greek team played an almost perfect defense to completely outplay Barcelona, who failed to cope with the massive assertion which Sferopoulos' team pushed from the very start.

- We were not happy with the way we played the first game. We changed our mind-set and fought from the very start. That was the main difference, we were focused and ready to fight for each possession. We managed to limit the good Barcelona offense, which scores 86 points on average home, to only 63 points - Sferopoulos said.

Unlike in the first game, Olympiacos had a proper leader on the floor in Game 2. Spanoulis finished with 16 points and 5 assists to prove the injury is a thing of the past now. When he's completely fit, he is the driving force of this team. Printezis followed suit to record 22 points and 9 rebounds, with the amazing 10-for-13 shots from the floor. Barcelona's defensive end had no idea how to stop him.

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- Printezis played an important role. He is a well experienced player, crucial to us. He helped the team on both ends of the floor as well as in rebounding. Still, I don't want to single out anyone, this was a win by the team - Sferopoulos said.

- We fixed a lot of things but that was only one battle. We won on account of good defense. We were Olympaicos today - Printezis said.

Olympiacos now have a chance to end the series before their fans. Barcelona will have a very tough time in the hell-like atmosphere the fans will create at Piraeus. Playing there is always tough and it will be even tougher today. It was very clear last night at OAKA Arena how difficult it is to play in Greece, even though CSKA are a much better team than Panathinaikos quality-wise. 

- We need to play a defense as good as in the second game, have energy and control rebounding and pace - Sferopoulos said. He will a complete team at his disposal. 

Regardless of the convincing second game win, Dunston points out that Oly still haven't reached their top level, which is defeintely an extra reason for concern at Barcelona.

Reality hit Barcelona hard in Game 2 since everyone probably though that Oly will just give up after losing the opening game of the series. But, they clearly didn't follow what Spanoulis and others were doing in previous seasons, having always emerged victorious from impossible situations. 

Barcelona could not find solution for Olympiacos's extremely tough defense in the entire game. Oly managed to balance the rebounding out  int he second game, the defense did its thing and Barca didn't have an answer for it.

- Olympaicos put a lot of pressure on us. There were always two players guarding the player in possession and we didn't have a good flow. Only 7 assists in total confirm that. That is disastrous for us  - coach Pascual said.

It's very important to note that Oleson's absence was more than tangible. He was sidelined with an ankle injury and Barcelona's offensive and especially defensive end struggle a lot without him.

- Oleson brings balance to our game on both ends of the floor. Each time he was out with an injury, we would struggle a lot. 

Oleson is questionable for today as well. Whether he'll play will be decided just before the game. Doellman is clearly not completely fit and ready, which resulted in his 0-for-6 efficiency form the floor. 

- Doellman wanted to help but he's clearly not ready. We'll need other players to step in when those two aren't fir enough - Pascual said and then turned to the next game.

- Playing there is very tough. It's a hostile environment, loud fans. This will be a game for real men.

Barca played a number of such games and should not have problems with pressure, fans or anything else. It is realistic to expect them to do much better than in the second game but they cannot be regarded as favorites. Olympaicos do not lose knock-out stage game home. The last such defeat happened back in season 2010/11 and that only confirms how tough it is to play here.