Ettore Messina wants to see more teams in the EuroLeague playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

After Olimpia Milano's loss to Olympiacos, coach Ettore Messina referred to some dubious calls by the referees and proposed a different EuroLeague format.

Credit: Savino Paolella/IPA/SIPA - Scanpix Credit Savino Paolella/IPA/SIPA - Scanpix

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's three-game winning streak wasn't extended in Piraeus, as the Italian champs succumbed to a superior Olympiacos squad (66-82).

Player of the Game EFF 20 Alec Peters Points 16 Accuracy 6-7 Rebounds 5 Assists 0

For Ettore Messina, the game at the packed Peace and Friendship Stadium held a special significance, since it was the Italian mastermind's 500th in the top European competition. His overall record is 344-156, counting the games coached between Bologna, CSKA Moscow (six years, in two different stints), Real Madrid and Milan.

But losing to Olympiacos means that Milan have dropped to 6-11 and share the bottom of the table with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Panathinaikos Athens, and FC Bayern Munich. After a refreshing break that included a big road win over their main rivals Virtus Bologna last Monday, Milan have to surpass themselves if they want to stand any chances of making the playoffs.

Asked about the competitiveness of this EuroLeague season, Messina commented:

"As you see, every round there are at least a couple of surprises. You take a game lightly and you lose it. Anything can happen."

The experienced tactician said he's unaware of how many wins will be required for a team to make the playoffs.

"The standings are quite balanced. In other seasons, there were teams like Khimki that were always losing games and that was raising the threshold for the playoffs."

As several voices among coaches have suggested, like coach Dimitris Itoudis, Messina is an advocate of a play-in tournament that could potentially allow more teams to compete for one of the playoff spots.

"In this field, 2-3 years ago, I was the first to say we should start considering a different format for the playoffs," the three-time EuroLeague champ reminded.

3-pointers this season

34%8,9Points made:8,9Accuracy:34,1%Place in standings:11Record max:15Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Billy BaronTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"Because only eight teams out of 18 making the playoffs is not a fair number. There are owners who invest so much money in these teams. If you see the NBA, there are 16 teams who make the playoffs plus there are at least four teams who are involved with the play-ins," he continued.

Messina pointed out that making the playoffs is very important for any EuroLeague club.

"It's a big thing, it's a big reward and a big achievement. I think it's worthwhile for the future to be one of the things that need to be discussed in EuroLeague, the possibility to have more teams in the playoffs."

Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

Commenting on the game, where Olympiacos scored 35 points off turnovers out of their total 82 points (42.7%), a league-high since 2007, Messina acknowledged that the hosts were better, but also hinted about some dubious calls which could have allowed his side to be more competitive.

"Congratulations to coach [Giorgos] Bartzokas and his team," Messina said.

"We competed until midway through the third quarter. Then, some players who really carried us over the last month had no more legs. We didn't have any energy. In the opening of the third quarter, we held them to two points, but we only scored five."

In fact, Milan tied their season-low for less points scored in a quarter, netting only six in the third quarter. Olympiacos made the best out of it and with a partial score of 15-6 essentially finished the contest.

Still, it's rare for a team that goes 18/31 2-point shooting to lose that easily. But the Reds punished Milan for their 21 turnovers, as Thomas Walkup didn't let any pass or shot go uncontested.

"We missed three great shots,' Messina argued.

"Then, I think some things should have been ruled differently. A Kyle Hines shot that we felt was a foul, a foul in the act of shooting that was canceled for an out-of-bounds play. Many things went in the wrong direction for us."

The 63-year-old specialist clarified that his observations about the calls don't mean to take anything away "from the merit of the Olympiacos' win."

"They're an excellent team and finished the game in the best possible way," he concluded.

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