For Coach Ettore Messina it is the seventh career championship in Italy, but it is also the third consecutive in Milan: "We defeated a strong, tough, deep team, capable to score in many different ways. After the defeat in Trento, we found cohesion, determination and perhaps even the humility to play together, with rebounds, defense, Read More »
It was another night for the ages. Olimpia had the chance to close the series out at home and did it again. During the Messina's era in such games Olimpia's record is amazing, 11-3 and 3-0 at home. The winning streak in the friendly confines of Unipol Forum in the Italian league finals has reached Read More »
The game that potentially closes a playoff series is historically the hardest to win. It is even more so in a series like this played by two very competitive teams. In the space of three games and 125 minutes played, Olimpia scored six points more than Bologna; if we exclude Game 1's overtime, Virtus scored Read More »
With seven seconds left in the game, Olimpia protecting a three-point lead, Iffe Lundberg attempted a potentially tying three-pointer that was erased by Nicolò Melli's huge block. Then somehow Belinelli attempted one more off balance shot and on the ensuing rebound Shabazz Napier pushed the ball on Awudu Abass earning the inbound play that essentially Read More »
Now, the championship series has effectively become a best-of-three series. The difference compared to when it began is that two of these three are scheduled to be played in Milan. But it is an unprecedented situation compared to recent years when the final was at the best of seven. Two years ago, Olimpia regained home Read More »
Game 2 followed the same script, more or less, that Game 1 followed but the role were inverted. This time, Olimpia dominated the early part of the game, playing outstanding defense and doing what was enough to get a consistent lead. After leading by five at the end of the first, got some rhythm offensively Read More »
The championship series resumes on Saturday in Bologna for Game 2. Olimpia prevailed in the first road game with a great offensive second half after a first one in which the defense limited the damage. Olimpia finished with 12/18 on three-pointers in the second half and produced 61 points over the last 25 minutes of Read More »
It didn't look good in the first half when Olimpia scored just 25 points. On a second look it was a different story because in spite of having a nightmarish shooting night and a turnover-prone first half, Olimpia trailed by eight points. The team was able to wait for the storm to calm down. The Read More »
The sixth championship series between the two most successful teams in Italian basketball is also the fourth in a row. Olimpia has won two of the last three, won in 2023 with home court advantage, won in 2022 without it and lost in 2021 when it had it in its favor. So, the previous finals Read More »
Nicolò Melli will play his fifth championship series with Olimpia. The first took place in 2012 (1-4 against Siena), the first won was in 2014 (4-3 against Siena). The other two date back to 2022 and 2023, both won, both against Virtus. In his career he’s played two finals in Germany with Bamberg and two Read More »
