"First time in this atmosphere, and he played perfectly!" One player particularly impressed Peñarroya in the Milan rout

Pulse Sports Team 10:23 - 26 September 2026

Joan Peñarroya, Partizan's coach, spoke after the Black and Whites' significant victory against Olimpia Milano to kick off their EuroLeague campaign, specifically praising Ethan Thompson's performance.

The 'Steamroller' delivered a brilliant performance in the Arena, dismantling the 'Mannequins' to secure their first victory of the new season.

After the game, Spanish coach Joan Peñarroya addressed reporters, offering his analysis of the match.

Among other points, Peñarroya specifically highlighted the performance of Ethan Thompson, who was making his EuroLeague debut.

I'm pleased with the win, but it's just the first game. The most important thing for me is that the players strive to compete, to give their all, and that there's no ego or selfish situations. Ethan Thompson is a new player, experiencing EuroLeague for the first time, in this atmosphere for the first time, and he played perfectly. He committed three fouls, but he knows what to do with the ball, he plays for the team, not for statistics. In every game, someone different can step up. The key is that we compete for Partizan to win, not for individual glory.Joan Peñarroya

After the first round, Partizan sits in third place in the elite competition and will travel to Paris for their second-round match on Tuesday.