Five memorable Printezis moments

In light of Giorgos Printezis reaching 3,000 career points in the EuroLeague, AGONAsport looks back at five of his best moments in the competition.

Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV! 

It was particularly fitting that it was achieved at the Peace and Friendship Stadium during an important Olympiacos victory. Printezis, who came into last Friday’s game against Zalgiris Kaunas with 2,998 EuroLeague points to his name, scored his first points in the sixth minute of play to reach 3,000.

Printezis now boasts 3,035 points in the EuroLeague after he scored 15 against ALBA Berlin on Thursday in a comfortable Olympiacos victory (99-80).

Let’s take a look back at five of Printezis’ best moments in the EuroLeague in an Olympiacos jersey:

CSKA Moscow - Olympiacos - 61-62 (2011/2012 EuroLeague final)

The most important two points Printezis will ever score in the EuroLeague. In a simply incredible final, Olympiacos somehow managed to recover from a 19-point deficit to beat a strong CSKA Moscow side at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Turkey, with the winning basket being scored in the last second. Lurking on the left flank, Printezis received an intelligent pass and hooked a floater into the net to complete a scintillating comeback.

Olympiacos - Barcelona - 71-68 (2014/2015 EuroLeague playoffs)

A match which few Olympiacos fans will forget. Leading 2-1 in their quarter-final series against Barcelona, the Erythrolefki had the chance to book their ticket to the Final Four at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, and they duly obliged with a pulsating 71-68 victory. A win which couldn’t have been achieved in more dramatic circumstances.

In the final second of regulation time, Printezis took aim from behind the arc, and he struck gold to spark wild celebrations in Piraeus.

CSKA Moscow - Olympiacos - 61-62 (2011/2012 EuroLeague final)

A major turning point in that famous final. Trailing by five in the fourth quarter, Printezis initially missed his first shot, but he collected his own rebound and scored a lay-up while forcing Viktor Khryapa into committing his fifth foul. Playing without one of their key rebounders, CSKA fell away in the closing minutes as Olympiacos eventually snatched victory in a memorable climax to the EuroLeague season.

Siena - Olympiacos - 75-82 (2011/2012 EuroLeague playoffs)

A big reason why Olympiacos progressed to the Final Four of the 2011/2012 EuroLeague season was a hugely important three-pointer nailed by Printezis against Siena. In the first match of their quarter-final series, Olympiacos were only leading by two points with 01:34 remaining on the clock, but Printezis made the win safe by draining a wonderful three-point shot. His winning basket gave Olympiacos a road victory in the series as they later won their two matches in Piraeus to qualify for the Final Four.

Panathinaikos - Olympiacos - 77-79 (2016/2017 EuroLeague regular season)

Emotions are always running high when an Olympiacos player scores the winner against Panathinaikos at the OAKA Indoor Hall. With three seconds remaining on the clock, Printezis received a clever pass from the legendary Vassilis Spanoulis inside the paint, subsequently twisting to the basket and drawing a foul while scoring. Printezis converted the ensuing free-throw to ensure that Olympiacos tallied a sweet victory against their bitter rivals.

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: to10.gr

Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter for all the latest news in Greek Sports!