Basketball, Venice beats Bologna 90-83 and flies to the final against Milan

At the Taliercio Venezia beats Bologna 90-83: the championship final, for the first time in the history of Serie A, will be Olimpia-Reyer. Thanks to the Tessitori-Cole duo, who contained Virtus’ escape in several phases, scoring 50 points combined. But above all, thanks to a sensational finish to the match by Parks, who with two consecutive plays, first on his own half of the pitch and then on the opponent’s, put the tombstone on game 4. The finals will begin at the Assago Forum on Thursday 11 June.

the match

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In a balanced start to the race, two completely different attitudes emerge. Venezia moves the ball well and stings on the counterattack, while Bologna follows a clear mantra: ball to Edwards and we’ll see. At the end of the first quarter, the former Bayern player already has 11 points with 3 triples. When the second quintet of Virtus enters, the relay passes into the hands of Morgan, who is also very hot: 12 points scored in 5′, the Vu Nere find a first breakthrough in the 14th minute with a run of 8-0 (26-34). Despite a meager 4/14 from the field in the second period, the hosts limited the damage thanks to Cole and Tessitori, at half-time Olidata was ahead by 5 points (37-42).

EXTRAORDINARY PARKS

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After the long break, Virtus regained confidence under the sign of a dominant Niang: despite Tessitori’s renewed effort, the guests sprinted to +12 (57-69) in the 29th minute on Smailagic’s triple. Umana remains alive, once again thanks to the Cole-Tessitori duo: the tandem between the two ends in the two-man match of the orogranata captain, who brings Spahija’s team back to -4 (76-80) in the 36th minute. A minute later, bad news arrives for Reyer: Tessitori commits his fifth foul on Morgan’s penetration. But in the most complicated moment, the pride of Venice comes out. First the ring from the arc by Parks, then the layup by Bowman, and finally the volley, again by Parks: Reyer overtakes (83-81) just before the last round of hands, before Morgan restores parity from the line. Cole extends the ball with a deadly “block” from the perimeter, after which Parks takes center stage again: first with the breakthrough immediately by Diarra, then with the winning tap-in on Cole’s shot. With 10” remaining it is too late for the Vu Nere comeback, Reyer celebrates its hundredth season played by flying to the championship final for the third time in its history.

Venice: Cole 28, Tessitori 22, Parks 17

Virtus: Niang 19, Edwards and Morgan 17