By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Olimpia Milano coach Ettore Messina paid respect to Virtus Bologna departing coach Luca Banchi and newly arrived Dusko Ivanovic who will be now taking over.
“I’d like to say that I’m sorry that I won’t be facing Luca Banchi once again,” Messina said ahead of the upcoming Italian League derby between his Milano team and Virtus. “He’s an excellent coach and a person for whom I have great respect. I believe he’s done an excellent job at Virtus, as he’s done on every team he’s coaches. I also want to welcome Dusko Ivanovic to Italy, who has always been great opponent and friend.”
Ivanovic will be of an Italian team for the first time in his career after starting his career as head coach in 1995. The Montenegrin coach worked mostly in Spain, winning three ACB championship titles with Baskonia in 2002, 2010 and 2020.
Banchi resigned from Virtus following the EuroLeague loss to ALBA Berlin Tuesday that plummeted Bologna to the last place in the standings.
Messina also has a strong connection with Virtus since he led the team to the EuroLeague championships of 1998 and 2001.
Milano, coming off an impressive 7 – 1 EuroLeague turnaround over the last couple of weeks, will look to take advantage of its current momentum to get back oon a winning track also in Italy. The Red Shoes are currently 6-3 in Serie A, while Virtus stands at 7 – 2.