A statement win for Olimpia Milano, who stormed past reigning EuroLeague champions Panathinaikos with an emphatic 87-75 victory at the Unipol Forum. Despite dealing with injuries and a short rotation, Ettore Messina’s team delivered an outstanding performance, fueled by an electric crowd of over 10,000 fans.
“I’m incredibly proud of my team – the energy from our fans was crucial tonight,” said coach Messina after the game. From start to finish, Milano controlled the pace and executed flawlessly. The night’s standout performer was Zach Leday, who put on a masterclass with 33 points, showcasing both skill and relentless determination. “I just focused on controlling what I could and bringing my warrior mentality,” Leday explained. “We knew we had to give our best against the champions, and that’s exactly what we did.”
After a tight first half (39-37), Milano broke the game wide open in the third quarter with a decisive 27-13 run, stretching the lead to 16 points (66-50). Panathinaikos attempted a comeback with three straight three-pointers from Sloukas (68-59), but Olimpia quickly responded with key baskets from Shields, Leday, and Gillespie, sealing the win with a 12-point margin.
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This crucial victory keeps Milano in the playoff hunt, providing momentum ahead of their upcoming challenges. The team now turns its focus to an LBA clash against Varese, looking to avenge their first-leg defeat, before embarking on a pivotal EuroLeague road trip to face Bayern Munich and Zalgiris Kaunas.
