LBA Finals | Olimpia, Messina “Thanks to the public and to the defense of the last quarter”

© photo by SAVINO PAOLELLA

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Press room at the Mediolanum Forum after race 3. Ettore Messina comments Olimpia’s victory over Virtus Bologna: “In a very tough and difficult match, it’s right to start with our audience: it was fantastic, and has always supported us in difficult moments. We are enormously grateful for giving us this positive support.

As I said, the game was very tough because we were less lucid in attack, forcing ourselves into game situations with little space. We then made a good start in the second half, but here with turnovers, the only ones of the game, we got nervous, also because we collected 3 or 4 in a row at the moment.

Then in the last quarter we showed an impeccable defense. Of course we arrived tired, but perhaps even fresher than them in some key positions, also for having further shortened the rotations. The most important players are more on the pitch, but in certain moments the fatigue takes a back seat. We finished with 14 steals, a very high number, and this gave us the confidence to make some good plays in attack.

Now we are in a good position, but many games await us ahead. We have to reset and think about the next one. The challenge that awaits us in Bologna will be very difficult on Thursday. “

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