Olimpia dominated the game, imposed its will, controlled the game and finished just a little bit too short in terms of energy, maybe a little bit too confident and it exposed itself to the Laboral’s rally, led by Nocioni and by the terrific shooting specialist Jelinek. So the win was by just by seven points, 83-76, less then it probably deserved. Five players scored in double figure led by Curtis Jerrells 16 points. Now it’s 2-1 in Euroleague and it’s a beautiful, beautiful day.

 THE FIRST HALF – Olimpia starts attacking the rim with Samardo Samuels and Alessandro Gentile. The lead grows quickly because the defense allowas very little and the fastbreak is up and running. After Hackett’s second foul and in the Penalty, Vitoria improves thanks to Tibor Pleiss hooks inside and David Jelinek’s jumpers. Vitoria gets withing three after the 18-11. But Langford is carrying the team over his shoulders, drives twice and the second one is to complete a three-point play at the buzzer to end the first 26-18 up. At the start of the second the percentages are lower but it happen for both teams and when Curtis Jerrells makes his first three Olimpia’s lead is fort the first time in double digit. The lead goes up to 14 when Jerrells makes another three and it’s 41-27 Olimpia. Laboral Kutxa responds with a 6-1 run getting within nine and eight after San Emeterio scores from three. CJ Wallace makes two foul shots atthe and to close the first half at 48-38.

THE SECOND HALF – Two great drives by Hackett early in the third push the lead up to 13 (54-41) before Nocioni from the corner makes another triple. Hackett is the great story of the third scoring seven in spite of having three fourls called on him and although Langford blocking a Pleiss shot makes a sensational play.  It’s Langford again and then Jerrells regaining the biggest lead at 17 (63-46). The third is being finished 63-50. Early in the fourth Hamilton makes a short hook (and then he scores a three) then Moss responds with his third three and Melli with the first basket rewarding him for a great effort. When Olimpia goes up by 16, Vitoria gets back within 11, Gentile commits the third foul and coach Banchi calls a time-out. But Vitoria’s rally is still in effect. After a Jelinek three, Vitoria is down by four and in the end it’s 83-76 Olimpia. Banchi finished the game with David Moss acting as a power forward after Jerrells made the most important basket of the game when he drove and scored in traffic stopping Vitoria’s run