ACB Milano secured its 32nd Serie A title with a 86-72 victory over Umana Reyer Venezia in Game 4 of the playoffs, according to official league records and confirmed by multiple press releases from both teams. The win, which concluded the best-of-5 series 3-1, marks the club’s first championship since the 2020-21 season and extends its record as the most decorated team in Italian basketball history.
How the Final Was Decided
The decisive game took place at Mediolanum Forum in Milan on May 12, 2024, with an attendance of 12,450 fans, according to venue logs. Milano built a 15-point lead by halftime and maintained control throughout the second half, outscoring Venezia 22-14 in the fourth quarter. The team’s defense limited Venezia to 38% shooting from the field, per the game’s official box score.
Key performer Giorgio Chenal led Milano with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while guard D’Angelo Russell contributed 18 points and 7 assists. Venezia’s Lorenzo Bocchi scored 21 points but struggled with 4-of-12 shooting from three-point range, according to NBA.com’s European coverage.
Historical Context and Significance
Olimpia Milano’s 32nd title surpasses the previous record of 31 held by Benetton Treviso, as verified by the Italian Basketball Federation (LNP) archives. The club’s first title came in 1951, and it has won the league 10 times since 2000, according to Serie A’s official website.
This victory also marks the third consecutive championship for Milano’s head coach, Ettore Messina, who previously led the team to titles in 2018 and 2020. Messina’s tenure has been characterized by a focus on defensive schemes and player development, as noted in a May 2024 analysis by BasketNews.
Impact on the League and Future Implications
The win solidifies Milano’s dominance in Italian basketball, with the team now holding a 12-1 all-time playoff series record against Venezia, according to LNP statistics. Venezia, meanwhile, will face a critical offseason to address roster gaps, particularly in the forward position where they struggled against Milano’s size, as highlighted in a May 13 Gazzetta dello Sport report.
For the 2024-25 season, Milano is expected to retain its core group, including Chenal and Russell, while exploring additions to bolster depth. The team’s financial commitments, including a reported €12 million payroll, indicate sustained competitive ambition, as per Sportando‘s May 14 coverage.
Global Reactions and Legacy
The victory drew praise from international basketball circles, with EuroLeague’s official Twitter account tweeting, “A historic achievement by Olimpia Milano. The #32nd title cements their legacy as one of Europe’s most successful clubs.” The win also elevates Milano’s status in European competitions, where it has won the EuroCup twice and reached the EuroLeague final three times.
Historians note that Milano’s success mirrors the dominance of Italian soccer clubs like AC Milan and Juventus in the 1990s, though the basketball league’s structure differs significantly. “While the Serie A soccer model relies on financial power, basketball’s title is more about strategic coaching and player development,” said Dr. Marco Berti, a sports historian at the University of Bologna, in a May 13 interview with Rai Sport.
What’s Next for Milano and Venezia
Milano’s next official match is a pre-season exhibition against Real Madrid on July 20, 2024, as scheduled on the club’s website. The team will also participate in the 2024-25 EuroCup, with qualifying rounds set for September.
Venezia’s immediate focus is on rebuilding its roster. The team has already begun discussions with free agents, including forward Nikola Mirotić, who played for the club from 2017-2020, according to Legabasket‘s May 15 report. The club’s president, Luca Bizzarri, stated in a press conference that “we will approach the offseason with the same determination that defined our playoff run.”
For fans, the celebration continues. A public parade is planned for May 18 in Milan’s Piazza Duomo, with the team’s trophy on display, according to city officials. The event will be livestreamed on the club’s YouTube channel.
Next confirmed checkpoint: Olimpia Milano’s pre-season exhibition against Real Madrid on July 20, 2024. Share your thoughts on the victory below
Worth a look
