Success for Virtus Cagliari in Game 1 against Melsped Padova (61-53) and promotion to the next closest women’s A2 series tournament. Of course, there are still 40 minutes left where, as is statistically proven, anything can still happen in the playoffs and finals. But the Virtus seen in these playoffs is a team that undoubtedly deserves to access the second national championship and return to the A2 series that president Paolo Pellegrini’s team lost three years ago.
Against Padova, coach Staico prepared the match perfectly by fielding a tough team, devastating in attack and compact under the boards. And to be honest, in this period he is the winning weapon of the Cagliari team. Few errors, few mistakes and opponents who struggle to “see” the basket. A victory by Virtus. The whole group contributed to bringing home a result. And it’s not just those who scored in double figures (Lucchini, Corda and Rabchuk) that should be seen, but the entire team gave its contribution, both on the pitch and also from the bench.
A success which on the eve of the match seemed to be within the reach of the Cagliaritans, but the opponent was little known and the points of reference were very few: they arrived slowly. The coup was in the air, but there was so much hesitation even just thinking about it. Yet in 6 days coach Staico gave the group confidence, encouraged them, but above all motivated them, because today’s match was really important and the only way to win it was to field 12 warriors ready for anything… and so it was. On Sunday evening at 5pm, the PalaRestivo will be bedlam, because everyone will want to support these girls who, this year, perhaps the least suitable one to rediscover the A2 series, have truly demonstrated maturity, character, group and desire to amaze. And they succeeded.
Against Padova it was immediately an authoritarian Virtus, the one who found the way to the basket, but also the one who gagged the hosts. In the stands there is the public on special occasions that supports, incites and drags the team along, but the Cagliari team are certainly not impressed and in an amen they are already at 10-4 signed by the Lucchini-Corda duo. Padova struggles, unable to keep up with the pace and speed of play of their opponents, also because coach Staico tries to always keep the pace high with substitutions. The Venetian team tries to stay in the game but in the final quarter Rabchuk puts his name on the scoresheet and gives Virtus a 16-11 which also marks the end of the first 10 minutes of the game.
At the resumption of hostilities it is still the Ukrainian team who lead the team accompanied by Joana Valtcheva. Their baskets create an 11-point gap (22-11) which, despite putting in a lot of effort, Melsped Padova is unable to fill. They try timidly (29-20), but Virtus doesn’t blush when they have to fight and score, so much so that they end the long break at 32-22 with a free throw from Joana Valtcheva.
Upon returning from the changing rooms, Padova necessarily wants to react. It gets closer but without doing damage, also because on the other side Virtus manages without much effort. The tireless Giulia Corda takes care of keeping her opponents at bay by placing +12 (36-24 at 21′). The rest is done by the managing team. At half-time Padova found some openings in the Cagliari defense which took a short break, perhaps to deceive their opponents (40-33 for Virtus in the 25th minute; 45-40 again for coach Staico’s girls in the 28th minute). The illusion lasts very little, also because Virtus starts running and scoring again, bringing everything back within the right limits and at the right distances, with Rabchuk scoring +10 at the end: 51-41, the score with which the third quarter ends.
But it’s not over. Padova tries everything, but Virtus doesn’t fall asleep and hermetically closes the defensive department, leaving the hosts with the hope of being able to overturn the final result (61-53) in the return match… but that will be a story to be told and live.
The words of Paolo Pellegrini – President of Virtus Cagliari: “The girls and the staff were truly fantastic today – admits a very emotional Paolo Pellegrini at the end of the match against the Venetian team -. They played a perfect match. At times absolute dominance with Padova which, to be honest, didn’t cause major concerns. The defense then left very little space for their initiatives. The most beautiful Virtus of this season. But it’s not over. And, above all, let’s not get caught up in easy enthusiasm. We still have 40 minutes to go and on Sunday I want the 12 lionesses who dominated today, here in Padua, on the pitch. No voltage drops and lightness. Here you need concentration and determination and then the pitch will give the right verdict.”
Melsped Padova-Virtus Cagliari 53-61 (11-16; 11-16; 19-19; 12-10)
Melsped Padua: Marcon 6, Pilli 8, Beraldo 6, Salmas, Cognolato 7, Boaretto 2, Meneghini, Gambarin 5, Angelini 8, Sorrentino 2, Antonello 9. Coach: Tomei
Virtus Cagliari: Lussu 2, Vargiu 4, Lucchini 16, Gallus, Corda 16, J. Valtcheva 4, Rabchuk 15, Podda, Pinna, Pellegrini Bettoli, D. Valtcheva 4, Anedda. Coach: Staico.
Free throws: Padua 13 out of 18; Virtus 16 out of 29.
Referees: Gabriele Occhiuzzi from Trieste and Andrea Andretta from Udine
The Editorial Staff | Source Press Release
