Basketball, Euroleague: Virtus takes the derby with Milan

V.BOLOGNA-MILAN 89-84
The derby of the “disappointed Euros” relaunches Virtus which, amidst many absences on both fronts, wanted to redeem a dull period. The one with Milan, as we wanted to demonstrate, is not a friendly even if both have failed to access the playoffs. Simply perfect Hackett, Belinelli and the revived Jaiteh give the decisive push in the second half and above all in the decisive last quarter when Bologna puts the arrow and overtakes for the victory.
The start is fast, with a lot of attack on both fronts. Hackett immediately makes a couple of good baskets, Belinelli puts in two triples, Milan doesn’t look and replies with Shields and Voigtmann. A dunk on the counterattack by Davies gives Milan the first advantage. Then the changes begin to mix, those of Olimpia are more toned, those of Bologna more blocked. Shengelia looks down physically while the eternal Hines looks 10 years younger. At the first siren it is 22-26. Milan starts the second quarter strong with Datome and then with Baron from three. The first break arrives on the outside +14 (25-39) with Pangos who enters the game with a triple. Bologna struggles to produce an attack, even Hackett misses three free throws, meanwhile Jaiteh undertakes to prove that he is the weak link in the Virtussino game with a couple of defensive recoveries and even earns an unsportsmanlike but he too wastes from the line. So Milan stays ahead: at the break it’s 39-47. Recovery: immediately three Virtus triples with Hackett, Beli and Shengelia. Then again Hacket for parity at 54. But Milan goes back up with Tonut and Davies. The usual Beli finds spells from three. Masterstroke also by Datome who pits his author’s treble. At 30′ it’s 65-68. Volatona in the last quarter. Hackett is furious and overtakes Virtus at 70-68. Now Bologna is more reactive. Beli sails in the area and in the air for +4. Then come Shengelia grown to the distance and again Hackett. Bologna touches a +9 but the work doesn’t finish because Voigtmann arrives at -3 with 48” to go. The possible overtime was dissolved by two free throws by Ojeleye and by a three-point error by Baron.
(Andrea Tosi)

Virtus Bologna: Hackett 25, Belinelli 21, Shengelia 15, Jaiteh 13
Milan: Voigtmann 19, Baron 14,
Davis 10