VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – ZALGIRIS KAUNAS 68-71 (15-16, 30-44; 52-60)
Virtus, it’s a crisis. Segafredo loses their third match in the Euroleague and can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Little, very little, to save this evening too, only the desire and sacrifice of Diouf and Pajola (4 recoveries). Around them the void of a group of players that is not a team. Banchi, in confusion, has not yet found the right hierarchy and balance between the veterans and the newcomers who have seen very little of the pitch, with the exception of the aforementioned Diouf and a fluctuating Clyburn. After a horrible first half, Virtus managed to take the lead again, through a nervous reaction, in the last quarter, but then the usual problems in front of the basket made the difference. Smailagic made a loud statement in the paint, while Virtus sinks further and further down.
News: after the recent bad performances Banchi starts Diouf in the quintet. It is the young Juventus center who jumps for the ball facing the beloved, and much applauded, ex Dunston. The match appears dirty and rough with several errors and turnovers on both sides. Clyburn tries to take responsibility on offense and this is new. The former Efes player has more confidence in shooting from long range, rather than from close to the basket, and his triple brings Segafredo to +5 (12 – 7). Hackett enters and the blue point guard confirms his precarious condition. Virtus returns to have its blackouts and Zalgiris takes the lead, at the end of the first quarter, after a serpentine from Francisco: 15 – 16.
At the first difficulty, Segafredo disunited, showing a serious lack of amalgam. Banchi struggles to manage the situation and so the hosts sink to -10 (15 – 25). Without certainties, the Juventus players also struggle to cross the midfield with ease and in attack they rely on individual conclusions which often translate into balls given away to the opponents. Morgan was sent onto the field after the first 15 minutes of the match. The stoppage of the horror duo Hackett-Zizic on the bench changes the inertia of the match once again and it returns to Virtus’ hands. The Bianconeri close to -2 (26 – 30). Banchi tries the Grazulis card, even if he is still visibly out of shape, but under the basket Virtus doesn’t have many strings to their bow at the moment. However, the Juventus illusion lasts a few blinks because Zalgiris is more cynical and, driven by Giedraitis, scores a partial of 14 – 4. At half-time the scoreboard says 30 – 44. The Lithuanians run away.
Virtus only finds consistency in defense when it deploys Pajola and Diouf at the same time. With their sweat, sacrifice and application, elements that many Juventus players with the most important pedigree have left in the locker room, Segafredo comes back to -4 (45 – 49). Banchi makes the first, and only, change of the third quarter after 8 and a half minutes. It is inevitable that the comeback quintet will have a decline exploited by Zalgiris to maintain their lead. 52 – 60 at the 30th.
In the last quarter Hackett is back on the field. The one who goes back to hide instead is Clyburn who, after a good first half, did not attack in the second twenty minutes of the game. Banchi screams, yells and gets a technical foul trying to give an emotional shock. Cordinier responds to the coach from Grosseto and lights a spark. Virtus, after a very long run-up, returns to put their noses ahead: 63 – 62 in the 36th. As per practice at the end of the game, Shengelia moves to the center role. The Georgian raises the intensity and captures precious offensive rebounds, but in defense he concedes to Smailagic who gives Zalgiris the lead again (64 – 66). Shengelia is excessively generous and goes out for fouls with just over two minutes left in the match. Trinchieri’s team slows down dramatically in attack, but earns vital trips to the line to keep themselves ahead by a few margins. The last to give up is Pajola who scores the triple of -2 (68 – 70). Smailagic once again makes a loud voice under the Juventus basket and from the charity line makes 1 of 2. Virtus has the last possession of the match to try to send the match to extra time, but the prayers of Cordinier and Belinelli are not heard. It ends 68 – 71.
Scoreboard
VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – ZALGIRIS KAUNAS 68-71 (15-16, 30-44; 52-60)
BOLOGNA: Cordinier 10; Belinelli 6; Pajola 11; Clyburn 16; Shengelia 11; Hackett 0; Grazulis 0; Morgan 0; Polonara 4; Diouf 5; Zizic 0; Tucker 5. All. Benches
ZALGIRIS: Wallace NO; Francisco 11; Lekavicius 4; Brazdeikis 6; Giedraitis 15; Birutis 7; Smailagic 9; Mitchell 4; Dunston 0; Butkevicius 2; Sirvydis 3; Ulanov 10.
