Olimpia struggled once more to find the mental energy in the Italian league after a big EuroLeague win, two over the last week. So Bologna, who had more sense of urgency entering this game, won 82-73 deservedly. Olimpia started the game well but didn’t sustain its early effort. The defense improved in the second half but the offense stuttered and was sharp only in spurts. Twice, Olimpia cae back within five points but every time Bologna responded with a score and even a run of some sorts. “They played with humility they were solid. This is another lesson we need to learn,” Coach Ettore Messina admitted.

Particularly, Olimpia struggled uncharacteristically inside, especially against Ante Zizic presence under the boards and Tornike Shengelia quickness and strength in the middle. He was the player who single-handedly pushed Olimpia back when Nikola Mirotic led a late rally. “We had beaten them three times this season, we had beaten then 10 consecutive times in this building and when we started well erroneusly we decided the game could go our way again. That’s a mistake, a huge one. We need more balance between line-ups. In the Italian league too many time we struggled with that,” he said.