Olimpia flies to Istanbul in the afternoon. Thursday 4 April, it ends its Euroleague regular season against the Anadolu Efes: a win does not guarantee the access to the playoffs but would make it very likely. “We want to approach this game as an opportunity – says Coach Simone Pianigiani – We must be proud to have fought throughout this European season, despite injuries and troubles, in order to play for a playoff berth in one single game. The nervous and mental fatigue led us to face this final rush a little bit spent, as we have seen in the last few games. The Efes team has established itself as a high-level team, finishing fourth after playing throughout the season an excellent brand basketball. It’s a team built very well and with the most effective offense after that of the Fenerbahce in spot-up situations. They use an endless series of central pick and roll, well-executed by their guards Micic, Larkin and Beaubois, then in some cases also by Kruno Simon. They have guards who can create for themselves and for their teammates, two centers that are very effective, attacking the rim, Dunston with his athleticism and Pleiss with his size. And finally they keep to the perimeter a battery of seven shooters over 40 percent from three in the season.”

“We will have to do something more – Pianigiani added -, we will cling to the game with our teeth and nails in order to try to win it, but without no pressure, because what we wanted, our qualities, we showed them. Now we want to finish the job, fighting ball after ball, to try to create some problems to the Efes’ offensive system, producing 40 minutes of poise, solidity and effectiveness. Eventually, we’ll see what will happen, but as long as the clock gives us a chance, we’ll try.”