Olympia, it’s all about nerves for Messina

The words of Ettore Messina

The Istanbul classic between two teams that have crossed paths often in the EuroLeague era materializes within a complicated week for both. Efes è was overwhelmed in Kaunas from the two-ball, è was down more than thirty points and only when the result was up did it reduce the gap. In addition, it also announced the exoneration of coach Erdem Can. Olimpia è lasted a bit longer in Athens, but it è was never really in the running to impose itself. The consequence è that a delicate game will be played in Turkey.

Efes is going through a transitional period after its golden years, but the team is worth more than the standings say. It has had injury problems and also tweaked the roster during the season. Right now, it has roughly the whole team at its disposal thanks to the return of Will Clyburn, who was the heaviest loss, and Derek Willis, who, however, had been buffered by the’acquisition from Tortona of Mike Daum, who was absent in Kaunas due to injury. Olimpia reinstated first Maodo Lo and, in Athens, Nikola Mirotic as well. But the contest with Panathinaikos represented a step backward from previous tests, even just the win over Barcelona. In Athens, Olimpia had gone exhibiting seven wins in the previous nine outings between EuroLeague and the Italian league. The team left Athens at’lunchtime.

“Both teams come from a disappointing performance in the previous round so I expect a rather nervous game,” said Ettore Messina. “The team that will be able to keep more control over its nerves and play with more self-discipline will certainly have a better chance of victory”.