A feat was needed and Fortitudo did it. Without Aradori and with Ogden injured in one hand, Effe had to win to stay alive in the series that awards promotion: mission accomplished by ruling the belligerent Trapani 64-59, ready to celebrate the ascent to the upper floor. After days of provocations coming generously from Sicily, the camp has spoken and said that Effe will not concede anything. After a quarter of fireworks in attack, the Bolognese won in the trenches also thanks to the driving force of their fans. Riccardo Bolpin’s contribution was decisive as he scored 24 points.
PalaDozza on fire
We start with only one team on the pitch: it is Fortitudo who are dragged by Bolpin’s bombs to an immediate double-digit lead (13-2). Madison’s bedlam pushes the blue and whites to keep their foot firmly pressed on the accelerator and seeing the ball slip into the basket often from long distance is a pleasure for the eyes. At the first break the score is 25-11 with six bombs on target. The challenge shifts to defense in the second quarter with Fortitudo defending the fort and entrusting Freeman with his rare offensive attacks to still maintain a good margin of advantage. The only bomb of the period was signed by the usual Bolpin and nails the mid-match 34-26.
We return to the field on Sunday
It is again the blue and white winger who gives Effe the +10 again at the start of the third quarter but scoring a basket is still a challenge for the blue and white who pay for the sensational poverty of their offensive park. Fortitudo clings to trips to the line but Trapani comes back up to -5 at the end at 48-43 which declares the challenge reopened. The battle continues in the name of blows and errors rather than baskets, the referees offer some assists (now usual) to the Sicilians but the hosts found new life from the Conti, Morgillo and Panni reserves to stay at +8 in the middle of the fraction. Freeman dominates inside the area but the guests come back into contact right on the home straight. Panni, Bolpin and Freeman take care of giving the victory to Fortitudo. We return to the field on Sunday 9 June, again at 9pm and again at PalaDozza. Hunting for the second business which would impact the series at 2-2 and take it to the play-off to be played in Sicily.
Fortitudo Flats Service Bologna-Trapani Shark 64-59
Partial: 25-11; 34-26; 48-43
FORTITUDE: Braccio ne, Sergio, Conti 7, Bolpin 24, Panni 6, Kuznetsov ne, Fantinelli 6, Giuri, Freeman 8, Ogden 6, Morgillo 4, Taflaj 3. All: Caja
TRAPANI: Notae 10, Horton 9, Alibegovic 15, Imbrò 12, Mian, Pugliatti ne, Mollura, Mobio 4, Gentile, Marini 4, Pullazi 5. All: Diana
Referees: Boscolo Nale, Wassermann, De Biase
Field goals: Bo 22/57 (9/25 from three), Tr 20/66 (9/37 from three)
Free throws: Bo 11/18, Tr 10/14
Rebounds: Bo 40, Tr 44
Assists: Bo 15, Tr 13
