Bologna, 26 May 2024 – La Virtus sprints Venice 79-78, he makes his game 2 of the semi-final and it leads to a one step from access to the final.
Ahead +22 at the start of the third quarter, Virtus perfect in the first halfdecidedly subdued in the second half, she was recovered and overcome by a strong-willed player Veniceonly to then overturn it and win right at the end thanks to the experience and quality of his singles.
Victorybut a lot of effort for the Bianconeri who, and this is what counts, have now moved ahead 2-0 in a very tough and balanced series so far.
First half
Same lineups as game 1 on both sides. There Virtus which begins with Pajola, Lanyard, Belinelli, Shengelia, Dunston, on the other hand tries to change something in his starting five by proposing Spissu, Tucker, Parks, Wiltjer and Tessitori. The Juventus start was simply perfect with a 7-0 break in less than 1’30” of play and Spahija already forced to ask for time. The oil spill continues in the 5th minute and it’s 14-2. Weavers And Dunston they continue to make passes under the basket on both sides, giving rise to what, at the start, is certainly the most exciting duel, also because the only 5 points scored in the first 7’30” belong to the former big man virtussino. There Virtus in fact it reaches +19 at 26-7 in the 8th minute then Venice with Heidegger he gradually reduces the gap to 28-18 at the start of the second half with a break of 0-7. Virtus responds with a 7-0 result thanks to triples by Belinelli And Mickey which fell back to -17, with the Bianconeri once again reaching their maximum lead of +19 in the 19th minute at 45-26 and Venice annihilated by the very solid Juventus defence.
Second half
To start of recovery i the Bianconeri increased their maximum lead to +22, 52-30 in the 22nd minute.
Spahija he tries to change the cards in the deck, and from the bench he finds the triple of De Nicolao which revived Umana, forcing Banchi to ask for time in the 26th minute at 57-42. Venezia comes back to a single-digit deficit at -7 at 62-55 in the 29th minute, also because Virtus stalls offensively, suffering a partial score of 12-25, also suffering from the guests’ offensive rebound.
In the last quarter the Virtus lose Shengelia for the fifth foul he is also less effective in defense defensively and Venezia takes advantage of this by moving back down. At 36′ the triple by Casarin brings Reyer back to -2 at 72-70. Inertia is all for Venice which is reported in advantage 73-74 at 37′.
Lanyard it makes it 74-74, while on the other side Parks, one of the architects of Umana’s comeback, makes it 2 out of 2. The ending is a back and forth that ends right at the end of the siren. Hackett with 37″ left from the line he makes 1 of 2. Guests ahead 77-78. Virtus decides to defend, Lanyard takes a breakthrough with 20.7″ to go. Banchi’s team therefore has the last chance. Lanyard on entry he is fouled with 4″ left; from the line the French winger makes 2 out of 2 for 79-78, with Venezia not even managing to shoot in the little time remaining.
It ends in triumph for Virtus now ahead 2-0 in the series. The series now moves to the sports hall Taliercio of Venice for match 3, scheduled for Wednesday 29th at 8.45pm.
Semi-final series: Virtus – Venezia 2-0 (103-89 1ts; 79-78).
The scoreboard
VIRTUS BOLOGNA 79
REYER VENICE 78
VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Pajola 5, Cordinier 10, Belinelli 14, Shengelia 5, Dunston 9; Hackett 9, Mickey 9, Polonara 11, Abass 5, Dobric, Mascolo, Zizic 2. All. Banchi.
UMANA REYER VENEZIA: Spissu 6, Tucker 13, Parks 14, Wiltjer, Tessitori 9; Heidegger 6, De Nicolao 11, Simms 14, Casarin 3, Brooks 2; Janelidze ne, Kabengele ne. All. Spahija.
Referees: Mazzoni, Perciavalle, Dori.
Notes: partials 28-15, 47-30, 64-57.
Two-pointers: Virtus 15/29; Venice 18/32. Three-pointers: 9/18; 6/29. Free throws: 22/30; 24/27. Rebounds: 28; 36.
