Euroleague, Olimpia Milano loses in the final against Red Star

In the Euroleague, Milan suffered a sensational comeback from Red Star and fell at home 104-96. The fourth period was decisive, clearly dominated by Obradovic’s men, as demonstrated by the partial score of 34-14. What shifts the balance are the 17 attacking rebounds captured by the Serbs, who enjoy a super Nwora (22 points). Butler and Moneke were also excellent, both finishing on 18. After a perfect 30′ Olimpia paid for the decline in the last 10′, conditioned by the defensive work of Ojeleye, Kalinic and co. 22 points from Shields are not enough. The small consolation for EA7 is that they saved the difference in goals, having won in Belgrade, 92-82.

dominant Olympia

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The Allianz Cloud match is almost a play-off for the play-in with Milan and Red Star tied at odds of 11-10 after 21 days. The race proceeds in fits and starts. The first ring goes to the Serbs who, thanks to excellent spacing, builds advantages, taking advantage of his widespread physicality, finding easy baskets in the area. With triples from Moneke and Nwora, the guests went up 12 in the 3rd minute. EA7’s response was not long in coming and came thanks to a smaller quintet full of shooters (3 triples in the 10th minute), capable of making changes on all the defensive blocks. Olimpia takes the lead with a 9-0 break (16-12 at 5′) after a triple by Shields. The home team grows as the minutes pass, attacks in the first seconds of the action, avoiding allowing transitions to their opponents and winning several 3-point plays. The turning point came in the second quarter. What makes the difference is the impact of Nebo (11 points in the 20th minute), present on both sides of the pitch and dominant in the area. The former Maccabi player is the real puzzle for Obradovic’s defense which is unable to contain him, despite trying to take him away from the basket with Moneke. After a triple by Brooks, EA7 is ahead 52-40 in the 18th minute. In addition to the great offensive pace (30 points in the second 10′), Milan defends with great intensity and concedes only 17 points in the second period.

it changes everything

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Red Star immediately showed a different face in the second half, attacking in transition and getting back on track with baskets from Nwora, Miller-Mcintyre and a tap in from Izundu. However, EA7 continues to attack with clarity and, thanks to excellent readings, builds advantages and gets back into double figures (65-52 at 18′). Poeta’s men continue to move the ball well and score, but the Serbs remain attached to the match thanks to triples from Kalinic and the usual Nwora. After Ojeleye’s 2/2, the guests come back to within two possessions (73-67 in the 27th minute). Milan immediately gets back on the offensive line, first with the Brown-Guduric axis and then with a triple from LeDay they regain the +13 (80-67 in the 29th minute). Obradovic’s men don’t give up, they defend with greater intensity, breaking the flow of EA7 and often finding the counterattack. The work to punish Milan’s changes was also excellent. Six points in a row from Butler, Dos Santos’ triple and Kalinic’s assist on the glass put the guests back in the lead (83-85 at 33′, 15-1 partial). The match becomes point-to-point and is decided at the end, with Olimpia having to give up Shields, who came off for fouls in the fourth quarter. The hosts no longer find easy baskets and suffer from the physicality of their opponents. Guduric, from three, responds to Miller-Mcintyre’s dunk and brings his team back to -3 (95-98 in the 38th minute). Ojeleye continues to work well in defense and Moneke scores a new +5 (95-100 in the 39th minute). Ellis scores 1/2 on free throws (96-100 with 24” left). Moneke on the other hand makes no mistakes (96-102 with 22” left before the siren). Bolmaro misses the triple. Red Star beats Allianz Cloud.

Milan: Shields 22, Bolmaro 13, Guduric 11

Red Star: Nwora 22, Butler, Moneke 18