Sumner and Butkevicius defeat a disappointing Milan: Zalgiris wins:

Olimpia Milano emerges defeated from the bedlam of Kaunas against Zalgiris, saying goodbye or almost goodbye to its EuroLeague. First half characterized by a few too many inattentions from the Milanese team in the first half, and by Shields with absolutely cold hands in attack. Despite this, Olimpia Milano goes ahead at half-time. Second half was decidedly worse, given that the Milanese continued to defend practically nothing, allowing too many penetrations and open shots to their opponents. In the offensive half of the field, except for Mirotic's third period, Olimpia struggled tremendously to find continuity. Coach Messina's team can say goodbye, or almost, to the EuroLeague, for the second consecutive year.

 

Zalgiris-Olimpia Milan | The match

The match opens with Giedraitis' basket, followed by Mirotic's. Zalgiris goes on a 6-0 run and takes the lead to 10-5 which forces coach Messina to time out. Tonut scores coming out of the timeout, followed by two points from Mirotic for -1. Another basket from the Montenegrin that brings Olimpia back ahead: the first quarter ends at 14-17. Complicated start of the second quarter for the red and whites who see Zalgiris raise their defensive level and return to parity. Poythress tries to break the deadlock with a three-point play, but Manek's triple arrives. Napier allows Olimpia to stay ahead by 1 point in a moment of great defensive difficulty midway through the second quarter. Voigtmann crushes Milan's +3 on the counterattack, while Hall scores from the arc after a basket from Butkevicius. Tonut scores two triples in a row to bring Olimpia up 5, but Evans responds. At halftime the score was 35-37.

 

The second half opens with Milan's offensive difficulties and Giedraitis scores the equalizer, before Mirotic's basket which unlocks his lead. Olimpia Milano continues to suffer a lot in rebounding and Evans scores the 41-39. Zalgiris finds the +5 taking advantage of Milan's difficulties, but a triple arrives from Napier. Sumner is a factor and scores the score 49-43, before Mirotic's triple. Evans responds with the same coin with Olimpia trying to stay in contact. Mirotic is unstoppable, but Zalgiris tries to escape by taking advantage of Milan's lack of defence. Lekavicius finds the triple for the Lithuanian +7. 59-54 in the 30th minute thanks to two free throws by Voigtmann. The fourth quarter opens with a triple from Sumner after a couple of errors from Voigtmann and Lo, Hayes dunks and finds the home side's +10. Shields' triple arrives as he tries to finally get into the game, but Lekavicius scores again. Shields scores again from the arc for -6, but Sumner never stops. Third triple in a row for Milan, this time with Hall, but Evans scores with a foul. Napier finds the triple for -4, but Butkevicius responds with the same coin. Sumner scores again from the arc and closes the game bringing Zalgiris back to +10. Zalgiris Kaunas wins 87-73 against Olimpia Milano.

 

Zalgiris-Olimpia Milano (14-17, 35-37, 59-54, 87-73)

 

Olimpia Milan calendar | Next appointments

Olimpia Milano is awaiting the LBA away match against UnaHotels Reggio Emilia, with a tap-off set for 8.30pm on Saturday 30 March. Subsequently, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano will face Virtus Bologna in the EuroLeague, with a tap-off set for Friday 5 April at the Mediolanum Forum. The Milanese team will then host Dolomiti Energia Trentino in the LBA match on Sunday 7 April at 7.00 pm.