This Barcelona side looked clearly superior to Olympiacos in a somber Euroleague opener at Palau, finishing 70-80. The result signals that Barca is still in a rebuilding phase and that the role reversal between the teams remains in an early stage, hampered by Mirotic’s ongoing absence.
Vezenkov, a trusted scorer, delivered his usual quality with 20 points and seven rebounds. The night’s surprise came from Giannoulis Larentzakis, who buried four three-pointers in the final quarter as Barcelona was stretched, while Joel Bolomboy added 12 points and seven rebounds with a plus-minus of +20 for Olympiacos.
The clash felt like a replay of one of the Euroleague’s disheartening matchups, where semi-final losers meet in the Final Four. In Belgrade, the azulgranas pressed more aggressively after their semifinal exit against a Madrid side, while the Greek team faced an Anadolu Efes squad that had just claimed back-to-back titles.
There was playful commentary on Nicolò propping up Kalinic’s opening basket as the Serbian guard showcased his impact in Palau, part of a Euroleague broadcast that followed the #EuroleagueDAZN feed. A look at social posts reflects how the night leaned into Kalinic’s steady presence on the floor.
The win came after Barca claimed their first domestic league victory against Cazoo Baskonia, while Olympiacos fed off strong morale from beating Panathinaikos in the Super Cup. The narrative also included familiar faces on the sidelines, with former Barca coach Georgios Bartzokas alongside Sasha Vezenkov and Kostas Papanikolaou in the lineup.
Barça started with a lean first half, showing solid defensive discipline but struggling on offense. Satoransky battled ankle troubles, and Rokas Jokubaitis did not quite replicate his standout guest defense from earlier games. Early on, Walkup and Vezenkov knocked down three-pointers, while Sertaç Şanlı and Kalinic tacked on points, pushing the score to 16-10 with a key interception from Bolomboy and a 16-13 finish to the first period.
A crucial moment arrived late in the first quarter when Chiggins hit a late shot, reaffirming Olympiacos’ momentum with a 16-13 tally at the end of the frame. The game carried on with relentless pressure, as the Greek side sought to maintain its pace and tempo on the floor.
The second period proved punishing for Barça, turning into a rough stretch that saw several injuries and missed opportunities. Kostas Sloukas reasserted control, orchestrating the offense and keeping the visitors close. Higgins contributed valuable minutes for the home team, while Sloukas and Tarik Black helped Olympiacos regain the lead with a sequence that included a made three and a pair of baskets, nudging the score to 22-24 as the quarter drew to a close.
Barça’s defense stifled several shooters, but the offense struggled to settle. The bench delivered a timely triple from Peters, while Barça’s backline kept Olympiacos’s offense at bay with a basket here and there, leaving the first half with a 28-34 deficit. A sense lingered that the home side needed a spark in the second half to reverse the trend.
The third period mirrored the team’s early-season arc, with defense improving but consistency missing on offense. Nico Laprovittola emerged as a focal point, providing leadership and playmaking; however, the team faced a challenge in finding continuous scoring. An eight-point burst by Laprovittola helped narrow the gap, and a triple from Abrines briefly brought the visitors within one at 37-38. Yet the game swung back as Olympiacos played with greater coherence, and Barça’s offensive rhythm faltered amid chaotic possessions and moments of hesitation.
The match concluded with Olympiacos turning the screw, extending pressure through sustained defense and disciplined ball movement. A late surge from Giannoulis Larentzakis, who knocked down four consecutive threes, sealed a comfortable Greek win at 70-80. The result left Barcelona contemplating adjustments ahead of their next challenge, with Madrid looming and a sharp focus on improving attack and transition defense.
End of the match in Palau, where Olympiacos closed the night with an 0-11 run early in the third quarter and then held on as Higgins produced a few bright moments that suggested a potential comeback. Still, the sustainment of offense proved elusive, and Larentzakis’ shooting spree capped the night for the visitors. The team will regroup and refine while looking ahead to the next Euroleague fixture in the calendar.
Data sheet
Barça: 70, (16+12+21+21): Tomas Satoransky (7), Nico Laprovittola (16), Nikola Kalinic (11), Jan Vesely (5), Sertaç Şanlı (9) -starting five-, Cory Higgins (10), Mike Tobey, Oscar da Silva, Àlex Abrines (8) and Rockas Jokubaitis (4).
Olympiacos, 80 (13+17+17+23): Thomas Walkup (5), Isaiah Canaan (9), Kostas Papanikolaou (2), Sasha Vezenkov (20), Moustapha Fall -starting five-, Kostas Sloukas (7), Joel Bolomboy (12), Giannoulis Larentzakis (12), Tarik Black (3), Alec Peters (10) and Shaquielle McKissic (3).
Referees: Sreten Radovic (Croatia), Damir Javor (Slovenia) and Mehdi Difallah (France). Not eliminated for personal fouls. Events: The match coincided with the opening day of Men’s Basketball Euroleague, played at Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona.