Feba Civitanova Marche lost in game 1 at home to Virtus Cagliari for the play-off for the national stages. The Momos surrendered 74-55 to the hosts after playing a good first quarter and a decent second period, closing at 18-18 and 16-6, with the score at halftime at 34-24. When hostilities resume, the locals increase the pace and the blue and whites are unable to withstand the blow, 24-9 in the third quarter, with the islanders effectively mortgaging the match. Coach Donatella Melappioni’s girls react generously in the final period, closing at 16-22, partially managing to recover the deficit. In seven days the return match in Civitanova and a strong performance will be needed to be able to overcome the deficit.
“We held the tempo until we were clear and played on equal terms, even with a good game – states coach Melappioni – and it was a pleasant match. Then Cagliari increased their defensive intensity and we didn’t have that energy to be able to sustain their intensity, so much so that in the second quarter we scored little and went 10 points down, while in the third quarter we scored just 4 points. We tried to block them with the zone, to make them score less but it was useless, also considering their very high percentages from three. In the end, in the last quarter we tried to recover some points and we won this quarter: not because they brought in the second lines since they had the starting five but because we pressed more, recovering some balls, and the game was fast it led us to get to the basket, which we weren’t able to do in the second and third quarters.”
VIRTUS CAGLIARI – FEBA CIVITANOVA MARCHE 74-55 (18-18; 16-6; 24-9; 16-22)
VIRTUS CAGLIARI: Lussu 6, Vargiu, Lucchini 21, Gallus ne, Pasolini, Corda 9, Valtcheva J. 2, Rabchuk 11, Podda, Pellegrini 4, Valtcheva D. 16, Anedda ne All. Staico
FEBA CIVITANOVA: Streni 2, Panufnik 13, Sciarretta ne, Severini, Angeloni, Binci 22, Contati, Jaworska 9, Pelliccetti 9, Lazzarini. Annex Melappioni
Referees: Lighthouse – Cassiano
Matteo Valeri
Feba Civitanova Marche Press Office
