An external blow that is worth that of Virtus Cagliari in the final of the Women’s Serie A/2 basketball. The girls coached by Fabrizio Staico, in fact, beat Melsped Padova at home 53-61 in the first leg of the decisive match for promotion and put a good bet on promotion.
There are still 40 minutes left to play at home. In the playoffs and finals anything can still happen, but the Virtus that took to the field last night and during the playoffs in general are a team that has shown that they deserve to access that second national championship that the Cagliari team had lost three years ago.
The race. The Cagliaritans start off strong, without being impressed, flying to 4-10 scored by the Lucchini-Corda tandem. Padova struggles, is unable to keep up with Virtus’ pace and speed of play, tries to stay in the game, but in the final quarter Rabchuk puts his name on the scoresheet giving Virtus an 11-16 lead in the 10th minute. In the second quarter, Rabchuk herself, together with Joana Valtcheva, gives the scoring baskets (11-22). Margin remained almost unchanged until the 20th minute (22-32). Upon returning from the changing rooms, Melsped tries to react, but the Cagliaritans manage and, with Giulia Corda, return to +12 (24-36 at 21′) and manage. At half-time Padova first took the lead back to 33-40 in the 25th minute, then 40-45 in the 28th minute, but Virtus recovered in the final and brought it back to 41-51 in the 30th minute. In the last quarter the home team attempted a final comeback, but Virtus closed well in defense and took home the precious final 53-61.
But it’s not over, next Sunday, at 5pm, the return match will be at the PalaRestivo. We will start again from the +8 achieved in Veneto.
The scoreboards.
Melsped Padova – Virtus Cagliari 53-61
Melsped: Marcon 6, Pilli 8, Beraldo 6, Salmaso, Cognolato 7, Boaretto 2, Meneghini, Gambarin 5, Angelini 8, Sorrentino 2, Antonello 9. Coach Tomei.
Virtus: Lussu 2, Vargiu 4, Lucchini 16, Gallus, Corda 16, J. Valtcheva 4, Rabchuk 15, Podda, Pinna, Pellegrini, D. Valtcheva 4, Anedda. Staic Coach.
Referees: Occhiuzzi and Andretta.
Partial: 11-16; 22-32; 41-51; 53-61.
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