In the end it was a win, apparently a close game win for Olimpia Milano which prevailed 78-76 over Laboral Kutxa Vitoria in the Euroleague’s inaugural round. The game’s story was different: after struggling early in the first, goiung down by as many as eight points, EA7 displayed a lot of poise, good execution, rebounding prowess and defensive ability. It closed the half up by two and then opened up a huge lead early in the third starting with a 10-0 run. In the fourth quarter, Olimpia led by 20 points after a huge corner three by Kruno Simon on a last-second assist by a glacial Charles Jenkins. It looked like the end of the game. But all of a sudden, Olimpia stopped to execute and Vitoria gained a lot of confidence. “I don’t know what really happened – said Coach Jasmin Repesa – because we stopped the ball, didn’t pass it and basically we were taught a big lesson: especially at this level, games are gonna last 40 minutes. It’s good we manager to learn it by winning the game”. Vitoria was within three points very late in the game but Simon and Oliver Lafayette closed the deal from the line before a buzzer-beating three by Ioannis Bourousis. Olimpia enjoyed five players in double figure.