By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Milan managed to leave Cologne with a win, after beating CSKA Moscow (83-73). Vladimir Micov and Sergio Rodriguez led a balanced offensive effort with 14 points each, while Toko Shengelia had 18 points for the losing side.
Nobody wants to play in the third-place game of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four and that was more than evident once more. With CSKA Moscow resting Daniel Hackett and Milan doing the game with Gigi Datome and Malcolm Delaney, both teams had already turned the attention to their domestic leagues’ playoffs.
Still, the game ended with Kyle Hines becoming the all-time leader in blocks with 16 in the EuroLeague Final Four and Sergio Rodriguez being the second passer in the all-time list of assists with 56 in the EuroLeague Final Four.
After a tame first half, the score was 40-34 in favor of Milano, which completed the second period with an 11-5 run. Michael Roll with eight points led the Italians, while Shengelia already had 10 points for the “Army Team”.
Milan led even by eight (49-41), CSKA tied the game at 49 and Milan entered the last period having a three-point advantage (60-57).
However, Milan with an 11-2 run (71-59) created a solid distance and pretty much kept it until the end with CSKA not getting closer than six (75-69).