If Game 1 was a battle, Game 2 was even more physical and hard-fought. Olimpia, who led for the entire second half except for one possession in the closing minutes, eventually prevailed 79-76. Nicolò Melli’s two free throws when Olimpias was protecting a one-point margin with fice seconds left in the game were the ones that closed the game. Milos Teodosic attempted a last second three but it was contested and never had a chance. Previously, in the most complicated stretch with Bologna building momentum, after erasing a seven-point deficit and getting the lead, Shavon Shields finished the game as a champion with a huge three and two free throws. “Obviously, Shields made a couple of things typical of a great player and Melli, under pressure, made two clutch free throws. he was fantastic,” Coach Messina said. Olimpia leads the series 2-0, Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday in Bologna.

Olimpia started the game, establishing its defense. But Bologna responded immediately with the inside game of Mom Jaiteh. A couple of time it gaines a seven-point lead that eventually Olimpia canceled out to take a three-point lead in the locker room, because of Joahnnes Voigtmann and Billy Baron shooting. In the second half, Olimpia tried to replicate what it did so well in Game 1. The start was full of energy, with Shavon Shields especially. The lead reached the double-digit in the third quarter and again nine points early in the fourth, seven with five minutes left in the game. That was when Marco Belinelli got hot with a couple of threes that followed the corner jumper made by Isaia Cordinier. Olimpia struggled offensively, especially with turnovers, but had the mental strength to stay in the game and finally win it. Shields finished the game with 18 points, 14 in the second half, Billy Baron and Shabazz Napier added 12 and Voigtmann 11. Finally, Nicolò Melli was huge, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Rebounds was a key factor in the game, with Olimpia winning the battle by 12. “It was a tough game, they have so many resources. Up untile the last five minutes, however, we were leading and playing well, then we got nervous, probably we felt we needed to close it out too early. It’s never comfortable against them. I think we had a good game, but nobody on our team was consistent throughout the game, so we need to do better in Bologna,” Coach Ettoe Messina said.