Short-handed Olympiacos still beat Fenerbahce: fourth-quarter composure is the highlight

Crete – In the Crete preseason tournament, Olympiacos beat Fenerbahce 82-77 to reach the final. The result was noteworthy not only because the opponent was the Turkish champion, but because the Greek side had to play without several core players. The tactical highlight came in the final quarter, when Evan Fournier and Tyler Dorsey led the team through the tense moments. Before the game, Olympiacos dealt with multiple absences due to injuries and other reasons. Still, head coach Georgios Bartzokas had a quality roster to compete with Fenerbahce. Fournier, a veteran with NBA experience, was the anchor in half-court situations. Tyler Dorsey, with his quick first step and mid-range scoring, provided the needed spark. Together they lifted Olympiacos from a chasing position in the fourth quarter and closed the game with control. Bartzokas did not hide his satisfaction afterwards: “We have a good core even though we lost one or two important players. The spirit of the guys is what makes me confident.” That statement partly explains the victory. For a team still in preparation mode, the result is not everything, but the way the team operated in the fourth quarter shows a solid system. Seeing former players like Alec Peters and Moses Wright face their old team also added an emotional touch. Another positive signal came from the locker room. When asked about possibly signing Montero, Bartzokas was firm: “We are not in the market right now.” That comment cooled down speculation and showed Olympiacos is focused on internal stability. However, there is a hidden issue. If Fournier and Dorsey become the only answers in crunch time, opponents could lock onto them in official games. The real task is not winning a friendly, but staying consistent when the season becomes long and crowded. Observers often do not overrate preseason games. But for Olympiacos, these small challenges reveal the team's character. The win over Fenerbahce was not a big statement of ambition, but a reminder that an empire does not collapse when a few pieces are missing – as long as the core stays sharp. The final against Red Star will be the last test before the regular season begins. If Fournier and Dorsey keep orchestrating fourth quarters, Olympiacos will not just win another preseason trophy – they will build the winning habit needed for bigger stages. The open question remains: can Bartzokas find a backup plan for this duo before the real pressure starts?