Olimpia lost 73-69 against Fenerbahce in Crete, but it was another hard-fought battle and the defending EuroLeague campions prevailed only in the closing minute. Playing with no Marko Guduric and no Shavon Shields, two of its most potent offensive players, Olimpia had some ups and downs, exactly like Fenerbahce had. The best portion of the game took place late in the first and early in the second quarter and again in the third quarter when Olimpia built a eight-point lead. Fenerbahce didn’t play Tarik Biberovic and didn’t have Talen Horton-Tucker yet but when Jasikevicius used its regulars the physicality was there. Olimpia struggle at defending the board especially in the second quarter but execution and determination helped the team stay in the game right through the end despite foul troube thet again affected Lorenzo Brown mostly. After Zach LeDay scored the ball and took the team two points down late in the game, Brown fouled out and the last few possessions were played without the starting point-guard. Coach Messina had great indications from Quinn Ellis: the young guard impressed with quickness, athleticism and personality. He started the game next to Brown and Bolmaro in a small ball configuration and was great right from the beginning, staying on the court 31 minutes. He is the best news coming off the week-end spent in Crete. Zach LeDay led the scorers and step up in the second half, Josh Nebo was flying all over the rim especially early in the game, Devin Booker made a couple of three showing his in-and-out game. Leandro Bolmaro also prolonged his very good preseason. So, Olimpia now comes back home and will prepare to play for the Supercup next week-end in Milan.

FENERBAHCE ISTANBUL-EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILAN 73-69

Fenerbahce: Bacot 5, Birsen 2, Baldwin 6, Mahmutoglu 3, Boston 7, Bitim 3, Jantunen 7, Hall 13, Zagars 13, Colson 8, Birch 2, Melli 4.

Olimpia Milano: Mannion 3 (0/1, 1/2, 3 a, 12 min), Brown 12 (5/11, 0/2, 2/2, 25 min), Ellis 10 (3/4, 0/1, 4/5, 6 r, 5 a, 31 min), Booker 6 (0/2, 2/2, 6 r), Tonut (6 min), Bolmaro 6 (2/3, 0/1, 2/2, 5 r, 4 a, 25 min), Brooks 7 (1/4, 1/2, 2/2, 14 min), LeDay 14 (2/4, 1/2, 7/10, 4 r, 26 min), Ricci (0/2, 14 min), Flaccadori (6 min), Nebo 11 (5/6, 1/2, 22 min).