Olimpia Milano, Belgrade fails encore: Messina worried about Shields and Nebo
Despite a 45-35 partial in the last 20′ of the game, Olimpia Milano had to surrender to Partizan Belgrade, thus missing its Euroleague encore in the Serbian capital after Tuesday’s success against Red Star. Shields’s 21 points (he later exited the game battered) were not enough for the meneghini, nor were the 12 points of Brooks and Guduric, the latter also the author of 8 assists. Nebo’s 10 points, also like Shields an injury victim.
Coach Ettore Messina, in the aftermath of the game, spoke about the’negative start and the comeback attempt:“I think the end of the first half affected so much the final result. We missed a few shots and went to the locker room with a delay more than it should have been. Then in the second half, in our fourth game in six days, we looked tired, but as the minutes went by our defense stepped up and the offense picked up speed”.
“In the first half against the physicality of Partizan defenders especially the guards we paid for poor quality of passes but in the second half we moved the ball better, built better shots and converted a few counterattacks. We thus earned the shot to win the game. Too bad but I am very proud of how we fought” the red and white coach then stressed, looking for the bright side.
“If we look at the statistics we were on par or better in everything except the lost balls. It means we were able to compete. I am proud of the way we played the game through the difficulties including Shields’ injury, which is of great concern to us. Nebo also felt a stiffness in his thigh. So hopefully we will not have to pay a heavy duty this week”.
