Maccabi Tel Aviv saw off Olimpia Milano 97:79 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena on Thursday evening, a result that keeps both sides in the lower half of the EuroLeague table but gives the hosts a psychological boost after a mixed run of form. The game was decided by the hosts' efficiency from distance and their ability to limit turnovers in the second half.
And here's the thing — the match did not stay close for long. Maccabi built their advantage through three-point shooting, hitting nine from 24 attempts compared to Olimpia's seven from 26. By then the hosts had already pulled away enough to control the tempo without pressing too hard.
The statistics tell a straightforward story. Maccabi recorded 12 steals to Olimpia's five and kept their turnovers down to eight, while the visitors turned the ball over 15 times across their 23 assists. Olimpia won the rebound battle 32 to 25 with more offensive boards, but it did not translate into points because their field goal percentage lagged behind — 24 successful shots from 57 attempts against Maccabi's 36 from 60.
We had called a home win at 71 per cent confidence before kick-off, and the scoreboard confirmed the call. Maccabi's defence was sharper in the second half, and Olimpia could not find answers when the hosts extended their lead. The visitors' 28 free throws did not come close to bridging the gap.
The result leaves Maccabi in 12th place with 18 wins from 38 games, while Olimpia sit 14th with 17 victories. Neither side moves into the play-off positions, but the hosts have now won three of their last five, including a convincing 88:71 over Hapoel Jerusalem last week.
Olimpia's recent form has been less consistent. They lost 72:75 to Verona on Wednesday and had already fallen to 76:86 against Vitoria-Gastey's Baskonia two days earlier. A win on Thursday does not erase that pattern, but it gives them something to build on before their next fixture.
