VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – MACCABI TEL AVIV 78-73 (20-16; 44-41; 57-60)
Taking up a game that seemed to be aimed at Maccabi by the hair, Virtus won the second consecutive game in the Euroleague and capitalized 100% on the home double round. It was a very tough game – as expected – and the Bianconeri had decidedly limited rotations between big players given the absences of Ojeleye and Mickey. Katash’s team, after taking the inertia thanks to the 8 offensive rebounds in the third quarter, also reached +7 in the last quarter, on the wings of Lorenzo Brown. Segafredo shook up after not scoring for almost 5′, and Scariolo dusted off the box and one defense also seen at the European Championships, this time with Cordiner on Brown. With the Spanish international removed from the match, Maccabi practically dissolved, and the Vu Nere posted the decisive run of 13-0, from 59-66 to 71-66. Victory with a very high specific weight, and Segafredo truly worthy of applause. 15 points for Hackett, 15 and 6 assists for Teodosic, 12 for Shengelia.
It starts after the memory of Sinisa Mihajlovic, greeted by a long applause, and by choirs and banners from the curve. The match is immediately tough, with physical play and many mistakes. After a difficult start, Virtus took the lead with a 10-0 victory in which Bako was so strong. 20-16 at 10′.
With the points from Shengelia and Teodosic, Segafredo reaches +8 (33-25), but a couple of defensive distractions are enough and Maccabi comes back down, and even takes the lead (37-38). However, the end of the half is black and white: 44-41 at the half.
It starts again, and the game gets even tougher. Few goals are scored, but Maccabi grabs many (too many) offensive rebounds, and often has second and third chances. The Juventus attack is practically zeroed, Lorenzo Brown brings forward his, and in the 30th minute the score is 57-60.
Last quarter: after 3′ of serious offensive sterility Scariolo puts Teodosic and Hackett back. And after almost 5′ of fasting – and being sunk to -7 (57-64) it is the Serbian himself who unblocks his points. Scariolo fields the box and one, and in an instant Virtus takes it back: 67-66 with Jaiteh’s free throw. With Brown canceled by Cordinier, Maccabi totally loses the compass, and Shengelia puts the 4 free in the bracket. There’s still time for a few fouls and various free throws, but the result doesn’t change. It ends 78-73.
VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – MACCABI TEL AVIV 78-73 (20-16; 44-41; 57-60)
BOLOGNA: Cordinier 7; Mannion NE; Belinelli NE; Pail 5; 5 houses; Jaiteh 7; Lundberg 7; Shengelia 12; Hackett 15; NE camera; Weem 5; Theodosius 15. All. Alarming
TEL AVIV: Adam 9; Brown 18; Martin 6; least 0; Sorkins 7; Dibartholomew 3; Hillard 2; Coens 7; Hollins 0; Nebo 11; Ziv 0; Colonel 10. Everyone. Katash
