Without David Moss, who suffered a little injury during the last practice, Olimpia played an inconsistent game in Strasbourg and lost a uselessness game because the second place in the group was clinched before even starting the game. Now in the Top 16 Olimpia will be paired with Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, Vitoria, Barcelona, Malaga, Panathinaikos and Andolu Efes. Curtis Jerrells was the most consistent player, Nicolò Melli played a solid game and was promising the Angelo Gigli’s game just like the one game offered by Kristjan Kangur. Strasbourg, which won the last three home games, won 76-67.
THE FIRST HALF – Strasbourg is attacking the game, goes up 5-0 and then seems to block almost every shot in its zone. Olimpia rallies back gradually, particularly with Nicolò Melli leading three fastbreak opportunities, once closing personally and two more times dishing two assists for his teammates, so Angelo Gigli, in his very first Euroleague’s game and a starter, scores four quick points. EA7 goes up 10-9 for the first time. But the second part of the first period belongs to Strasbourg with Antoine Diot’s assists (3) and Jim Abromaitis scoring spree (12 points). At the end of the first quarter it’s 22-15 STrasbourg who also went up by nine (22-13) before a couple of free throws by Keith Langford. Strasbourg moves up by 10 at the start of the second after a Diot’s three at the end of the shot-clock, but Olimpia responds with a lefty hook by Melli and a MarQuez Haynes three from the corner forcing Collet to call a time-out. After the stop Strasbourg comes back stronger, produces a 6-2 run forcing Coach Banchi this time to stop the game. The biggest lead is 13, 36-23, after Gentile’s third foul. Jerrells re-enters the game and makes a three, then a corner jumper and finally closes a fast-break born out a Wallace’s steal for a 7-0 run. At the end of the first half it’s 38-30 Strasbourg.
THE SECOND HALF – Alessandro Gentile introduces himself with a big three fron the corner, Jerrells scores on a drive and Langford from three against the zone defense. Olimpia is within four but can’t keep the consistency up especially on defense and when Strasbourg finds a three by Diot and a three-point play by Campbell goes back up by 12, 53-41 and then 58-44, the biggest lead of the night. Olimpia plays with no true center and the two big forwards, Kangur and Wallace, they both score threes to shrink the deficit to 8, 58-50. At the end of the third, because of some turnovers, Strasbourg is again up 63-52. The shooting percentages are still low but Gigli’s offensive rebounds guarantees some extra shots. After a Kangur’s three, Olimpia is again within eight, 65-57. But it’s punished by Lacombe who makes a three with the shot-clock expiring after another three at the end of the 24” was miraculously recovered by Strasbourg. Still, kangur scores again from the left corner: with 4 minutes left in the game Strasbourg is up by eight, 70-62. But it’s a game Olimpia can’t control and the rally doesn’t finish and the margin never goes beyond seven points.
