RIETI – First match point for Real Sebastiani Rieti who this evening faces Rimini at the PalaFlaminio for game 3 of the Serie A2 Playoff quarter-finals. At 8.30pm coach Alessandro Rossi’s team will be on the pitch and can already close the series today and qualify for the semi-final. After the 2-0 gained within the walls of a PalaSojourner in full playoff atmosphere, it’s time for the PalaFlaminio exam.
The race
A series so far very balanced in the score of the first two matches, won 74-73 and 73-69 by the amarantocelesti who demonstrated desire, character and determination especially in the final stages of the match. A hot PalaFlaminio awaits Sebastiani and will push with all her strength a Rimini who are 2-0 down and have their backs against the wall. The Romagna team have won the last 7 matches played at home, but Rieti has shown this year that it has the ability to compete with anyone even in difficult environments (see the away games won in Bologna, Udine and Milan). Rimini’s strengths are well known to coach Rossi and the team, continuing to limit RivieraBanca’s offensive talent will be essential to try to close the series immediately. Tomassini returned to the fore at the end of game 2, with his condition appearing to have improved. Masciadri remains out. Sarto’s condition was not disclosed but the image of him at PalaSojourner on crutches does not bode well.
Pre-race declarations
Coach Alessandro Rossi introduces game 3 as follows: «Game 2 was also a battle and balance will also reign in game 3. The 2-0 does not assure us anything, but this result gives us the awareness that if we give our best and do the with the right attention we know how to do things badly in Rimini. Playing at their home won’t be easy, but we are a team that knows how to handle pressure well, we have shown it.”
Dustin Hogue also speaks and explains what Sebastiani will have to do to beat the Romagna team once again: «The next match will be the hardest and we must get there with a fighting mentality. Rimini played great and I expect them to do even better in front of their home crowd. We must remain faithful to our principles and play as if it were an inside or outside game, I think we can manage this match at their home. I have full faith in our team.”
For Rimini, sports director Davide Turci says this: «In Rieti we played two important matches, unfortunately we lost, but the team fought, gave 100% and certainly came out with their heads held high. We would have liked to arrive in Rimini at 1-1, we didn’t make it, but for us it’s not a problem: we have the conviction and the desire to return for game 5 in Rieti. Let’s now think about game 3, the boys are ready to give everything they can, supported by an arena and a crowd that we expect to be really large.”
Romagna winger Giovanni Tomassini introduces the decisive game 3 like this: «I had to grit my teeth, and you could see it, the team relies on me and I wanted to be there at all costs. I thank everyone who allowed me to be there: now we have to be able to do better than the two games in Rieti to win, we will need everyone’s help and it is an invitation, because we need everyone’s push. We want and deserve a great game 3, and then try to move forward again and return to Rieti.”
So on the pitch
Real Sebastiani Rieti: Sarto 3, Sanguinetti 5, Petrovic 10, Piccin 13, Hogue 15, Ancellotti 21, Johnson 22, Raucci 24, Poom 30, Italiano 31, Nobile 32, Spanghero 45. Coach Rossi
Rimini: Tassinari 0, Marks 2, Anumba 3, Grande 5, Tomassini 7, Scarponi 8, Johnson 23, Simioni 27, Pellegrino 29, Adamu 34. Coach Dell’Agnello
Referees: Stefano Ursi from Livorno, Paolo Puccini from Genoa and Luca Bartolini from Fano
The other races in the silver bracket (race 3)
Trapani Shark – Piacenza (2-0)
Verona – Urania Milan (1-1)
Real Sebastiani Rieti – Rimini (2-0)
Fortitudo Bologna – Treviglio (2-0)
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