By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In the aftermath of LBA Finals Game 5 on Thursday, Virtus Segafredo Bologna president Massimo Zanetti commented on the performance of the referees and AX Armani Exchange Milan responded by issuing a press release Friday. The postgame reactions have heated up the best-of-seven series.
Zanetti, 74, talking to TRC TV immediately after the team based in Bologna stayed alive in the series mentioned ‘it is time to move on from the control of the Milan team and [Ettore] Messina’, emphasizing the Italian tactician by shouting his name during the interview. “These fans are the best in Italy. We are united against everyone,” he suggested, “We won the game despite the refereeing. It’s time to move on from the control of the Milan team and Messina.”
LBA FINALS 🇮🇹🏆 – Patron Zanetti nel post-partita al TRC 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KHqOZrdpR1
— Basketball-Evolution (@bball_evo) June 16, 2022
Reacting to Zanetti’s comments and tone, the team based in Milan declared itself ‘astonished and angered’ and added that team’s ‘fairness and style are known all around Europe’. In a further response, it noted that ‘unfortunately, it is not the first time Mr. Zanetti indulges in uncalled and aggressive comments towards our club and its members’.
Apart from calling for potential sanctions by the FIP, Italian Basketball Federation and governing body of the LBA Serie A, Olimpia Milano asked its own fans to support the team, as usual, moving forward to Saturday’s Game 6. Carrying a 3-2 lead, the Finals will continue in Mediolanum Forum and provide the opportunity to clinch the domestic league championship at home. If Virtus Bologna ties the series at three wins apiece, it will host a do-or-die Game 7 in Segafredo Arena Monday.
Photo Credit: Getty Images