Olimpia had already led by 10 in the third quarter, but then suffered the inevitable Efes comeback when the European champions offense was sharp again and for a few consecutive possessions reduced the margin to a single point. But then Malcolm Delaney got injured. Then Sergio Rodriguez, the best player on the court in the first half, got injured. Olimpia found itself in total emergency, with Devon Hall as its nominal point guard and had to resort to all its heart, pride and determination. The story of the fourth quarter is unforgettable.

Olimpia scored with Shavon Shields early on to restore a three-point lead, but then practically didn’t score for four minutes when its defense kept the team in contention. Without its two main point guards, the score was tied at 55, before the three with which Troy Daniels momentarily gave Olimpia Milan a three-point lead with five minutes to go. But with three minutes remaining, Efes were ahead by four, 63-59, and there was no reason to anticipate an Olimpia win. Evidently, the players didn’t think so. Not even the crowd to tell the truth.

Down by four, Shields attacked Elijah Bryant and pulled from the elbow over the head of the smaller defender – the Efes was playing with three guards – to get back within two. With Efes hanging on a 63-61 lead, Chris Singleton played in the low post against Ben Bentil. Kyle Hines, coming to help from the weak side, timed his jump and blocked the shot emphatically. Shields tried to speed things up. Efes’ defense got back and stopped the ball, so he passed to Ben Bentil. Bryant first met him at the top then recovered on his man on the other side leaving Bentil free to shoot. He hadn’t scored any three in the whole game at that point, but he made it at the most important moment. And Olimpia took the lead again. Shane Larkin from three put the Efes ahead by two, 66-64, with about 1:40 to play. It could have been the end, but Olimpia replied again. Shields took the defense around with him, then kicked it out again for Hall, who was guarded by Larkin, who is smaller than him. Hall did not hesitate and hit the only three of his game. The most important one. Olimpia never trailed again.

Then, Shields still handled the ball against Bryant, scoring as just he did moments before from the elbow. Olimpia went up by three. Here the Efes attempted the last assault trying to score a quick two-point field goal, but the incredible Kyle Hines met Micic at the rim. His second block effectively closed the game. Then there was time for Shields’ latest stunt, a three-point game, and for the win.