Olimpia Milano, Voigtmann starts strong and Melli closes it: Brescia is knocked out

Olimpia Milano, Voigtmann starts strong and Melli closes it: Brescia is knocked out

“It was an important victory and a difficult victory. We played a very good first half in attack, even on a difficult evening for Shields and Mirotic, but everyone else contributed and theVoigtmann’s approach was of the highest level. In the second half, we built important advantages two or three times, then by missing an open shot, or perhaps due to some defensive transition not done well and in general with our defense which dropped in the second half, we allowed Brescia to get back into the game. match. We know their value, we know that we must do well and have need everyone to win the series. We will try to make progress in the second game”, the words of Ettore Messina in the press room after Olimpia Milano’s victory against Brescia 95-89 in the first match of the Scudetto semi-finals.

Stratospheric first half by Johannes Voigtmann who scored 19 of his 21 points in the opening twenty minutes (3/5 from 2 and 5/8 from 3, with 8 rebounds and 3 assists in the match). Nicolò Melli is decisive in the hot moments of the second half (13 points with very heavy baskets, 8 rebounds) and overall it is the team performance with the various Hines was good. Tonut, Hall, Flaccadori and Napier who all gave their contribution to the success that brought the Italian champions 1-0 in the series.

Olimpia Milano scored 95 points in an evening that saw only 7 scored by Mirotic (limited by fouls) and Shields (returning after the muscle problem): “We found points from many others, we found rhythm and second shots. Obviously Voigtmann scored important baskets, Melli scored very important baskets in the second half, everyone from Tonut at the start to Hall, Flaccadori gave us important points Napier was coming off a groin problem which perhaps made him play a little worried , but he passed the ball well. If I had known before the game that they would score two seven points I would have been very worried about what we would have done offensively. I hope that certain difficulties will not be repeated, but every team needs everyone to help each other.”

On Amedeo Della Valle’s super performance (33 points): “We start from the assumption that Della Valle has been one of the best players in the championship in his role with Belinelli for some years. We tried. But maybe we limited someone else. In the championship we had suffered a lot from Bilan, today from Della Valle. It’s not like you first choose who should give you 30 points. You have to read the game. But he is doing very well at this stage and we will also try to adapt, perhaps making a few more changes or pairing up differently.”

A semi-final with many free throws shot (62 overall, 28 for Milan and 34 for Brescia): “There are also many players who are good at highlighting the foul, others who are less good. It’s not easy either for those who play or for those who referee. In the end, everyone always thinks they were the underdog. You have to do better, pass blocks better, don’t jump on fakes. It applies to us, it applies to everyone”, concludes Ettore Messina.

On Monday 27 May we return to the pitch at the Forum for game 2 at 8.45pm.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Germani Brescia 95-89 (34-29, 27-20, 16-21, 18-19)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan: Tonut 12, Melli 13, Napier 9, Ricci 2, Flaccadori 11, Hall 10, Shields 4, Mirotic 3, Hines 10, Voigtmann 21, Bortolani ne, Caruso ne. Coach: Messina

Germani Brescia: Christon 9, Gabriel 11, Bilan 11, Burnell 0, Massinburg 12, Della Valle 33, Petrucelli 4, Cobbins 6, Cournooh 0, Akele 3, Porto 0, Tanfoglio NE. Coach: Skinny

Notes: 2-point shots: MI 52.6% – BR 48.1%; 3-pointers: MI 35.7% – BR 34.4%; Free throws: MI 89.3% – BR 88.2%; Rebounds: MI 44, BR 30; Assists: MI 23, BR 17; Turnovers: MI 8, BR 8.