Olympiacos survived a genuine scare against Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, winning 89-87 in a Club Friendship clash that delivered everything a neutral could want: physical defense, a hostile atmosphere, and a finish that went down to the final shot. The Serbian visitors had the ball with a chance to win it, but the Reds' perimeter defense held firm on the last possession.

Match Overview

This was always going to be a hard-fought game. Olympiacos and Crvena Zvezda share a long and respected rivalry in European basketball, and even in a Club Friendship setting the intensity was unmistakable. The Greek hosts leaned on their half-court discipline, while Zvezda brought energy, aggression on the offensive glass, and a willingness to attack the rim at every opportunity.

The first half was a grind. Neither team shot the ball particularly well from deep, and the scoring came largely from inside the arc and at the free-throw line. The lead changed hands repeatedly, with neither side able to build a cushion beyond six points.

Key Moments

• Second quarter: Crvena Zvezda went on an 8-0 run sparked by second-chance points, briefly taking control before Olympiacos answered with a patient, possession-heavy response.
• Third quarter: The Red and Whites opened the half with their best defensive stretch of the game, holding Zvezda scoreless for over three minutes and converting turnovers into transition baskets.
• Final two minutes: A pair of clutch mid-range jumpers from Olympiacos restored a lead they would not relinquish, before the decisive defensive stand on the last possession.

The Tactical Story

Olympiacos' path to victory ran through their pick-and-roll coverage. By pushing Zvezda's ball handlers toward the baseline and trusting their big men to contest at the rim, the hosts forced the visitors into difficult floaters and contested pull-ups. The trade-off was on the offensive glass, where Crvena Zvezda punished them with a number of extra possessions — the main reason the game stayed so close.

On offense, Olympiacos were at their best when the ball moved side to side. Their best stretches came with multiple ball reversals and quick decisions, generating open corner three-pointers and cuts to the rim. When the ball stuck, Zvezda's length and physicality caused problems.

Standout Performers

Olympiacos' backcourt duo set the tone, combining for the bulk of the team's scoring and controlling the tempo during the critical third-quarter run. Inside, their centers anchored the defense and made the final defensive possession possible.

For Crvena Zvezda, the frontcourt was the engine. Their work on the offensive boards kept the visitors in the game, and the guards repeatedly broke down the first line of defense to create scoring opportunities off the dribble. It was a performance that deserved more than a two-point defeat.

Season and Competition Context

Results like this matter in the Club Friendship, where a two-point swing can shape the mood of an entire preseason block. For Olympiacos, the 89-87 win confirms that their defensive identity is intact and that they can execute in late-game situations. For Crvena Zvezda, the positives — rebounding, rim pressure, resilience on the road — outweigh the disappointment of the final score.

The head-to-head record between these two clubs remains one of the most closely contested in European basketball, and this game added another chapter to that story. Both teams leave with clear areas to work on: Olympiacos with defensive rebounding, Zvezda with half-court shot selection against a set defense.