Ettore Messina: confidence on'Olimpia Milano and Italy at the European Championships

Ettore Messina is optimistic, both about the future of his Olimpia Milano and the national basketball team awaiting the European Championships that will take place next September. The coach of the meneghini promises the return of the Red Shoes in the final phase in the Euroleague, but he sees good prospects for the Azzurri of the’Italbasket.

“We have made a team that consists of 2-3 experienced players who can make the leap for us. Out of all of them stands out Guduric, whose weight could be similar to that of Rodriguez, Hines, Datome and Melli– said Messina in an interview for ’Sky Sport‘ -. We hope his contribution will allow us to make the playoffs in the Euroleague. We want to get back there, for the club and also for our fans“.

Central in the start of next season, however, will be precisely the European Championships. And Messina sees a good Italy, capable of having its say: “The group is well together. This aspect matters so much when you play in the national team. Everyone is well, it will be interesting to see how Darius Thompson will go after DiVincenzo’s forfeit. I am also curious to see Danilo Gallinari, who won the title in Puerto Rico and may experience his last international event. With quality minutes, he could be a no small added value”.

The connection between EuroBasket 2025 and Olimpia Milano is given by the’absence from the event for the national teams of Cancar and Nebo by the explicit will of the club. “Both are coming from injuries that have kept them off the court for a long time. When the February and November national team windows arrive, they will be grateful to us, as we will have got them back on their feet in the meantime” stressed Messina.