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| Sven in last year's Milano colors
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Sven Schultze "In Our Hearts"
"Sven Schultze: Du wirst immer in unserem Herzen..
..sein" it said on a 10 meter long sign in the Milano fan section. The Italian fans had gone out of their way to write in his native language "You will always remain in our hearts". The noise was deafening during introductions. Another sign: Sven, willkommen zu Hause" (welcome home). Then, after the game, three minutes long the Milano crowd stood and cheered Sven Schultze in a show of appreciation for what the German power forward had done in the previous two and a half seasons for their club Armani Jeans Milano. People who paid close attention could see Sven was moved, his eyes welling up. Sven came to their town in different colors today though. In a battle for a playoff spot Snaidero Udine and Sven came to Milan trying to improve on their 12-15 record and come closer to that 8th spot in the standings. It wasn't to be today. In a televised game Udine fell short by 9 point in a closely fought battle: 95-86 (63-64 after 30 minutes). It wasn't because of another inspired performance by the German national team member though. Sven played 24 minutes scoring 15 points (3/4 two's, 2/5 three's), grabbing 3 rebounds and stealing the ball once. At the end of the game the Milan crowd stood, clapped, cheered, and sang, showering Sven in praise for what he'd done this afternoon, done two and a half years for their club, and always does when he steps on the court: Give a 120% effort.
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