Basketball, Eurocup: Virtus knocked out with Ljubljana 74-86, Valencia beats Venice 86-80

Virtus is surprised at home by Ljubljana on the day of Shengelia’s debut and now the top four positions are moving away.

Virtus Bologna-Ljubljana 74-86

Joyless debut for Toko Shengelia, in any case the best scorer of a Virtus who gets caught at home by Cedevita Olimpia Lubiana. The Slovenians are at the fifth success in a row, they hook Segafredo overturning the direct confrontation and now for the Bolognese to arrive in the first four of the Eurocup group becomes terribly complicated. The 31 points suffered in the first quarter condemn the bianconeri – without Hervey – to a long chase that never materializes after the -15 of the second quarter, in a poor offensive evening (37% shooting). Shengelia enters after six minutes and immediately shows up with a triple and three assists, but the Virtus defensively does not hold and allows Pullen to light up. With 16 points in 6 ‘, the ex of the match launches the first Slovenian escape at 26-36, which also becomes +15 in the second half with Ferrell (29-44). Diana, on the bench in place of positive Scariolo at Covid, hastily calls her owners and thanks to Teodosic and Shengelia she manages to reduce the disadvantage at 44-51 at the interval. Having fixed the defense, Virtus, however, cannot find rhythm in attack, squeezing just 6 points in 7 ‘of the third quarter. The maximum approach is on -7, while the nervousness grows and the errors multiply. On the other hand, Olimpia remains lucid, finding three triples from Blazic in the fourth period that produce the definitive extension on 64-79 and give the guests a well-deserved success. (Luca Aquino)

Virtus: Shengelia 14, Jaiteh and Weems 11.

Ljubljana: Pullen 20, Blazic 18, Muric 14.

Venice very close to the blitz on the Valencia parquet, thanks above all to a monumental Theodore (25 points). In fact, he decides Dubljevic’s basket 12 seconds from the siren. Reyer without Vitali and Cerella. Excellent impact of captain Bramos (2-6), the orogranata defense blocks the fearsome attack of Valencia with Theodore who finalizes and dispenses assists. The two fouls by Brooks and Tobey oblige the two coaches to immediately shuffle the cards, Umana neutralizes Valencia and relaxes in attack playing as a team (7-14), the third triple by Bramos pushes the orogranata in double figures (9- 19), the final one by Stone double the hosts (11-22). Second quarter, Prepelic lights up, Valencia starts to rebound after the +13 signed by a present Daye (14-27). The Spaniards rely on Pradilla to get back on top (26-31), De Raffaele raises the quintet with Echodas and Watt together on the pitch. After -3 (30-33), Valencia suffers Theodore’s return to the parquet (30-38), it’s up to Prepelic and Rivero to keep the Spaniards close (37-42), who put 26 points (to 20) in the second quarter . Valencia inside the match, Umana also with Theodore and Watt who keep the orogranata ahead (43-53), the percentages of the Spaniards rise (53-55), ever closer to Reyer. Hermannsson also shakes, Theodore replies (53-58), Valencia hooks up with Tobey (64-64) on the third siren. Last quarter, point by point, Tonut raises the level (67-70), Bramos puts in the fourth triple of his evening (70-75), then Umana collects the 8-0 orange (78-75), impacted by Theodore. Watt puts in the last external advantage (78-80), Umana is surprised by Hermannsson’s triple (81-80), in the burning basin, Daye fails the triple, Dubljevic scores 12 “from the end (83-80) and Theodore fires the extra possible shot on the iron, then Prepelic closes the score. (Michele Contessa)

Valencia: Prepelic 19, Germannsson 11, Pradilla 11.

Venice: Theodore 25, Bramos 14, Watt 12.