The 2024 Scudetto Final opens immediately with a bang. Olimpia Milano needed extra time to conquer Bologna and take a 1-0 lead in the series against Virtus. The Messina team immediately overturns the field factor, winning 86-75 thanks to a sensational Shavon Shields in the five minutes of overtime. Milan’s number 31 split the game with his triples, giving Olimpia a very precious success, given that in 48 hours they will return to the pitch again in Bologna and with Virtus probably already with their backs to the wall and with Milan already having almost a match point.
Shields is obviously the big protagonist, finishing with 25 points. Also very important for Olimpia were Shabazz Napier’s 21 points and Devon Hall’s 18, who for long stretches were fundamental for the Milanese attack. Tornike Shengelia’s 16 points were not enough in Bologna, but also the 14 from Cordinier and Belinelli.
Virtus got off to a flying start and also took advantage of Milan’s offensive uncertainties, scoring three times on the counterattack and with Shengelia’s basket for +6 (10-4) which took Messina to the first timeout. Virtus tries to escape further with triples from Pajola and Cordinier (18-9), but Olimpia still remains in contact with Napier and Shield and is five points down at the first siren (19-14).
Virtus opens the second quarter with triples from Abass and Shengelia which give them +11 (25-14). Milan makes a huge effort to score, but captain Melli tries to shake up the Messina team (29-21). However, little was scored in the second quarter, which ends with Zizic’s dunk for 33-25 with which we go to the changing rooms for the long break.
Olimpia started the second half better. Napier and Hall take the Milanese attack by the hand and build the partial that leads to the draw (36-36). Shields also scores the overtaking and the 39-36 is also Milan’s first lead in the match. Belinelli responds with his usual bombs coming out of the blocks, but the signature in the final quarter is all Shavon Shields, with the triple of +6 with which we enter the last ten minutes (54-48).
Lundberg immediately brings Bologna back to -1, but Napier and Hall again burn the net from the arc. The match is very lively with Hackett’s penetration of -3 (60-57) six minutes from the end. Lundberg signs the new Milanese overtaking with three free throws after the foul on Mirotic’s triple. Shields brings Milan back ahead, but Cordinier flies to the rim to drive the whole Segafredo Arena crazy. Mirotic equalizes from the line, but Cordinier again scores the +3 with a bicycle kick with 37 seconds left (68-65). Napier, however, immediately scores the equalizing triple, then the American also has the winning ball, but Pajola manages to stop it. We go to extra time.
In overtime Shields is simply perfect. Three consecutive triples that completely split the game and built Milan’s lead (79-70). Belinelli shortens to -6, but Hall immediately replies from the arc and then with the three-point play with Belinelli’s foul, he definitively closes the score. It ends 86-75 for Milan, who immediately reverses the home advantage in the series.
THE MATCH SCORESHEET
VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – OLIMPIA MILANO 75-86 aet (19-14, 14-11, 15-29, 20-14, 7-18)
Bologna: Lundberg 10, Belinelli 14, Pajola 7, Dobric, Mascolo, Shengelia 16, Hackett 3, Polonara, Zizic 8, Dunston, Abass 3, Cordinier 14
Milan: Bortolani, Tonut 2, Melli 8, Napier 21, Ricci, Flaccadori, Hall 18, Caruso, Shields 25, Mirotic 7, Hines 5, Voigtmann
