Euroleague, Milan-Olympiakos 83-62: Armani stops the leaders

An evening in executive class, showing herself more than the Continent what could be, and so far hasn’t been. L’Armani overwhelms the leader Olympiacosreducing to impotence the most prolific attack ofEuroleague, dominating it with the lucidity of better days and the energy of a playoff game. True, the Greeks had a deflated heart after the train disaster in Larissa, and perhaps they didn’t want to play this game. Their ultra segment sang to the end, their quality is intact. Hector Messina however, he checkmated Bartzokas, taking away his cuts in the area, his pick’n’roll advantage, one-on-one from the wingers: “We played with great competitiveness, , attacking the substitutions well, and the quintet with Voigtmann and Melli it gives us more space. And we run more: throwing ourselves into defense like this, it wouldn’t make sense not to do it. But they played below their level, we played above them, we have to remain humble.” But convinced. Everyone at Olimpia has given something: Billy the Kid Baron, obviously, whose shooting should be taught in schools, and down to the new Voigtmann of this 2023, to the bungling (this time less) Mitrou-Long and Davies, to the diligent Luwawu -Cabarrot up to the blue patrol that shines under the eyes of coach Pozzecco.

The masterpiece is accomplished in the second half after an already vigorous first part, which Armani bit without nagging, therefore light. Up 10-4 after 5′, attacking defense and running as soon as possible, but never on the run because the leaders know when and where to hurt, especially with wingers Papanikolau and Vezenkov. Davies gives substance in the box but it is the Italian nucleus that keeps Milan ahead: “They are important for us – Messina praises them – they are always ready”. If Olimpia only has a 3-point lead at the interval it is due to the bad 5 out of 19 from three at the interval (with Napier at 0/6), the ringworm from Larentzakis and some more than dubious booing from Lottermoser. Going to the break after holding the best attack on the continent to only 32 points is still worthy stuff, with Hines squeezing all his competitive spirit against the team that launched him into Olympus.

It could be enough to fill himself with dust of glory. Instead, from 35-34 with Vezenkov’s free throws, he restarts the Armani and never looks back. The first break from 12-0 sees Voigtmann block Fall and crush beyond, sees Bily Baron hovering in elusive pirouettes, Luwawu-Cabarrot engraving with the scalpel and Forum enjoying +15 in the 26th minute at yet another dart from Baron. You expect the pride of the strongest, instead Olympiakos goes on a narrow gauge. Sloukas has Tonut to torture him, McKissic is challenged to shoot from outside and rebounds and the loose balls are all from Hines. Mitrou-Long builds for Ricci at the third siren: 61-46, almost a sentence. Indeed, plus 20 after two actions in the last quarter, by Mitrou, from three: the sentence has already been issued. It’s just a question of managing, not skidding, singing until the 40th minute, even earning the ephemeral difference between baskets. The playoff quota, at the moment, remains three victories away: and Efes still has to make up for the match with Real postponed due to an earthquake, like Milan with Fenerbahçe. The satisfaction remains. And gasoline for the soul. Also because Pangos and Baldasso will be back on the pitch on Sunday with Scafati, Shields will be ready next week: there will finally be crowds in the locker room

Armani Milan – Olympiacos Piraeus 83-62

ARMANI: Baron 18 (and 5 assists), Melli 10, Napier and Luwawu-Cabarrot 9

OLYMPIACOS: Walkup and Vezenkov 10, Sloukas and Papanikolau 8