Virtus fights, plays a great match but surrenders to Panathinaikos in the hell of the OAKA Arena. Banchi’s team suffers from the physicality of the Greeks but always remains in the game despite the fiery environment. Despite a perfect third quarter, a super Belinelli and the +5 with ten minutes to go, Bologna fell under the blows of Mitoglu and the physical exuberance of Lessor. The crowd pushes Pana to comeback and Ataman’s team wins 90-76: third defeat for Virtus in this Euroleague.
Suffering and lucidity
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The start of the match was decidedly high-paced: both teams created an advantage in the first seconds and easily found their way to the basket. After a few minutes, Panathinaikos’ intensity increases further and Virtus is in difficulty: 5 turnovers and many forced three-pointers. The Greeks, however, are unable to escape, and the first quarter ends at 21-15. Coach Ataman exploits the full length of his roster: Balcerowski’s physicality, Mitoglu’s ability to score and Nunn’s impact on the two halves of the pitch give Pana the +8, but Bologna remains in the match. Banchi also draws well from the bench: Smith and Abass hold their own, Lundberg confirms himself in an excellent moment, but it is the two-man game between Belinelli and Shengelia that keeps Virtus in contact, who despite the 3/12 from the arc (8/ 29 at the end of the race) went into the break by only three points (45-42).
Physical gap
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In the third quarter the game becomes highly spectacular: great plays on both sides of the field and the crowd’s decibels become very high. Virtus is solid, focused and led by the very hot hand of Marco Belinelli, who reaches 20 by scoring three triples in the third period alone. Toko Shengelia is always clear near the rim and Bologna finds many points from offensive rebounds, but Vildoza’s triple at the end keeps Pana within one. The fourth period opens with a 5-0 run for Virtus, but Grigonis and Mitoglu bring the score back to parity, causing the OAKA Arena to explode and forcing Banchi to time out. Five points in a row from Lessor take Pana forward in a hellish climate: the physicality of the Frenchman is unstoppable, Bologna pays for too many fouls (Belinelli and Pajola sent off) and the tiredness at the end of an exhausting match. A wild Mitoglu (double double of 24 points and 10 rebounds) brings the Greeks to +14 and closes the game: a devastating fourth quarter gives Panathinaikos victory number five in this Euroleague.
Panathinaikos: Mitoglu 24, Nunn 11, Sloukas 11
Virtus Bologna: Belinelli 20, Shengelia 17, Hackett 7
November 17, 2023 (modified November 17, 2023 | 11:14 pm)
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2023-11-17 21:55:41
#Virtus #surrenders #hell #Athens #Panathinaikos #wins
