Game played point by point until the end
Thrilling atmosphere before the tap-off: the Trapanesi Granata group once again showed off a thrilling choreography: “For a dream called A” recites the phrase of the Shark who rose on the curve.
Bologna got off to a good start and after the first three minutes scored 7 points against Trapani’s 2. A triple from the captain, Marco Mollura, closed the gap. Coach Diana’s time out with the score 5-11 for Fortitudo: they certainly didn’t like the too much space given in defense. The exit from the interruption was good, with the Granata reaching -3. A decidedly too weak start for Shark who struggled to close the area and was not as precise in attack as usual. Rebounding was also bad: many double opportunities given to the Emilians who moved up to +11. Bologna’s choice not to concede easy shots is clear: Caja’s team preferred to send their opponents to the line. Bolpin scored +12 with the additional free throw. Mobio also scored at the end of the period: 18-28.
JD Notae once again took care of shaking Trapani: triple at 25-29 and time out called for Caja. Triple by Ogden from the corner for 25-32. Morbillo then makes the two free throws that bring Bologna back to +9. Notae scores on the counterattack and another time out for the blue and whites. Lots of inaccuracy from the line for Trapani (50%). There was bedlam at Pala Shark following two criticized decisions by the referees on fouls and throws: rain of whistles from the stands. However, Trapani managed to partially close the gap and put the icing on Stefano Gentile’s cake with the triple to make it 38-41 at the end of the 2nd quarter.
At 40-46, technical for coach Caja who then granted two free throws to Mollura, which were made, and possession to Trapani. Three fouls committed by Bologna in less than 3 minutes: 1 of 2 for Alibegovic and the score is 43-46. Low shooting percentages on both sides, then the score was unlocked by Taflaj’s 3 points. Trapani once again paid for defensive superficiality before scoring three points with Notae feet on the ground from the corner. Trapani’s first lead arrived 2:11 from the end of the quarter: a triple by Marini that brought the Granata to 52-51. Only 1 of 2 by Freeman from the foul line and it’s a tie.
Game played point by point at the start of the third quarter, overtaking and counter-overtaking repeated until Bologna timed out at 57-56. Fortitudo subsequently managed to extend the lead to 57-63 and time out for Trapani. A resounding triple from Notae who makes the counter-overtake at 67-65 and it’s the American who gets on the scoresheet again: Trapani on +4 with 1:26 to go. New parity reached at 1:26 with two free throws made by Ogden, then three free throws made by Notae with 13 seconds left: 72-69. The foul won by Gentile with 8 to go was fundamental, allowing the Granata to gain possession, which was then wasted. One out of two from the line for Bologna and the final was 72-70.
