Italian Super Cup, Milan beats Virtus Bologna in overtime and wins 5th title

Milano wins the first trophy of the season by snatching the game in overtime (98-96) from Virtus Bologna the Italian Super Cup at the Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno. For Olimpia it is the 5th title while the Black Shirts, who had won the cup in the last 3 seasons, are forced to extend the bitter record of second places in the competition to 8.

Virtus also ahead by 15 points in the first half

An uphill battle for Messina’s men who were surprised by Shengelia’s inventions and slipped to 7-15. The triples of Pajola and a wild Clyburn allow Virtus to take a +9 (13-22) and then to extend, at the start of the second quarter, with Tucker and Polonara, until reaching the maximum advantage of +15 (22-37). Shields and Dimitrijevic try to raise Olimpia who however closes the first quarter down 36-47.

Bolmaro and LeDay decide in overtime

Mirotic and Dimitrijevic slowly mend the gap in the second half, putting their teammates back on track (53-53). At this point the match becomes a back-and-forth until the final seconds: Mirotic scores the 82-79 with a triple at -1’30” but Morgan and Polonara sign the counter-overtaking (82-83). At -17″ Clyburn converts a single free throw and allows Milan to tie in the last action with a tap-in by Nebo, quick to recover a shot sent to the rim by Shields. In overtime Polonara tries to let Virtus escape again (88-93) but Milan, thanks to the plays of Bolmaro and LeDay, turns the game around with a partial of 10-0 (98-93). The Bologna team tries to come back but Clyburn’s triple with 2″ to go is too late to avoid defeat.

MILANO-VIRTUS BOLOGNA 98-96 d1ts
(17-26, 36-47, 64-69, 84-84)
Milano: Dimitrijevic 16, Bortolani n/o, Tonut 2, Bolmaro 18, Leday 11, Ricci 3, Flaccadori, Diop, Caruso n/o, Shields 10, Nebo 20, Mirotic 18. Coach: Messina.
Virtus Bologna: Belinelli 3, Pajola 9, Clyburn 14, Shengelia 17, Hackett 3, Grazulis ne, Morgan 11, Polonara 18, Diouf 4, Zizic 6, Akele ne, Tucker 11. Coach: Banchi.
Referees: Attard-Gonella-Lanzarini.
Note – Free throws: Milan 24/27, Bologna 21/27. Out for five fouls: Mirotic.