Olimpia was capable to stay face to face with powerhouse Fenerbahce in Zadar before succumbing 84-79 in a very promising performance. Milan went up early, by 13 in the second period and when the opponents took control of the score because of their physicality, aggressiveness and experience, Olimpia didn’t back off, stayed in the game, came back and forced Fenerbahce to win its game only in the last minute. Fenerbahce had a lot from its impressive bigs, led by Jan Vesely (18 points and seven rebounds) and also by Melli, Duverioglou (4/4 from the field) and Lauvergne while Kostas Sloukas accumulated 12 assists. Olimpia took every single punch and responded even when shooting didn’t come easily. Mike James played a very physical game, scored 22 points and never gave up like all the team. Olimpia had a very promising game because the approach was great, the heart and desire to compete were there. Unfortunately the game was broken when Tarczewski was called with a flagrant foul and Fenerbahce capitalized by scoring five points. And still Olimpia was there, threatening even in the last minute. Olimpia will close its preseason by facing Bayern Munich on Sunday in its third straight EuroLeague games in a row. “We faced one of the top team in the world, outside the NBA, their history together is very different. They reminded us where they are in many aspects but this is where we want to get over time. That was a very good practice”, Coach Simone Pianigiani said.

BOXSCORE

Fenerbahce Istanbul-A|X Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan 84-79

Fenerbahce: Melli 11, Mahmutoglu 2, Ennis 5, Kalinic 10, Biberovic 2, Sloukas 9, Guduric, Vesely 18, Guler, Dixon 11, Duverioglu 9, Lauvergne 7.

Olimpia: James 22 (5/11, 2/4, 6/6 ft, 5 reb, 4 ast), Nedovic 10 (0/2, 2/3, 4/4 ft), Bertans 6 (0/1, 2/2), Della Valle 9 (2/3, 0/1, 5/5 ft), Micov 8 (1/3, 2/5), Tarczewski 1, Gudaitis 9 (2/4, 5/7 ft), Kuzminskas 11 (3/3, 1/2, 4 reb), Burns (0/1), Brooks 3 (1/3, 0/1).