Maccabi Tel Aviv – Armani Milano 71-80: Ready and more balanced

Despite the three important misses (Kevin Pangos, Johannes Vogtman, Luigi Datome) and the -12 in the 9th minute, Armani Milano showed themselves to be significantly better prepared than Maccabi Tel Aviv fourth year in the first game of “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” at OAKA. Ettore Messina’s side had more good moments in the 40th minute, clearly more complete partnerships and had no trouble – from one point onwards – establishing their pace and seemed more… ahead of Oded Katas in terms of readiness , two weeks before the start of the EuroLeague.

Logically, of course, when you consider that the “people’s team” changed radically this summer and welcomed Oded Katas back to the position of head coach. Incidentally, Maccabi Tel Aviv competed without Lorenzo Brown, who arrived last in his preparation due to attending EuroBasket 2022.

Also, the management of Maccabi Tel Aviv (a crowd was found at OAKA to honor the memory of Pavlos Giannakopoulos) was welcomed by the new President of KAE Panathinaikos, Vassilis Parthenopoulos.

The race

Maccabi Tel Aviv started the game with a lot of enthusiasm, ran into the pitch at every opportunity and found a way to a double-digit lead (24:12 at 9′) thanks to good three-point odds (4/7 from 6:75). . ). Of course, the data changed very quickly.

Having improved on defensive rebounding and rebounding, Armani Milano set the stage for a total turnaround. Especially since she caught many of her highs, most notably Jambaolo Ritchie, DeSean Thomas, and Niccolò Meli. The three made the difference to +14 (42-56) in the 30th minute and had as a worthy supporter – from the region – Naz Mitrou-Long, who had 11 points up to that point.

A lack of communication in attack and poor ball circulation prevented Maccabi Tel Aviv from changing the tempo of the game in the closing stages, while Armani Milano easily defended the lead and drove to a friendly win.

THE DECADES: 24-15, 32-37, 42-56, 71-80.

MACCABI TEL AVIV (Catas): Baldwin 11 (0/3 3-points, 5 assists), Martin 2 (5 rebounds), Menko 5 (1), Sorkin, Di Bartolomeo 7 (7/8 shots), Hilliard 18 (1/3 2 -pointers, 4/9 3-pointers, 4/4 shots), Cohen 3, Hollins 11 (3/6 3-pointers), Poythres 12 (6 rebounds), Niebo 1, Zive, Colson 1.

ARMANI MILAN (Messina): Davis 8 (5 rebounds), Thomas 15 (4/6 2-pointers, 1/5 3-pointers, 4/4 shots), Mitrou – Long 19 (3/6 2-pointers, 4/8 3 -Pointer, 1/1 shot), Tonut 2, Meli 2 (12 rebounds), Baron 7 (1), Ritchie 13 (3/5 threesomes), Billiga 2, Halle 7 (1), Baldasso, Alviti 2, Hines 3 (5 rebounds).