Basketball, Euroleague. Maccabi-Virtus Bologna 111-80, Efes-Milan 89-69

There is no story in Tel Aviv, where Virtus gets overwhelmed by Maccabi (111-80 in the final) in a game that never existed. The Israelis do what they want facing a defense that never manages to impose a stoppage on them, as evidenced by the 111 points scored with 38 assists. Segafredo, also dropped to -39, never actually believes it, the little playoff hope is still lit more in words than in deeds. Brusque slowdown also from Milan which falls to Istanbul 89-69. Game dominated by Efes which ends with 5 men in double figures, the good performances of Luwawu-Cabarrot and Voigtmann are not enough for EA7.

Efes Istanbul-Milan 89-69

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The Milanese start was good, taking advantage of Tonut’s energy and Voigtmann’s experience, 4-8 after the German’s triple. The Turkish response was immediate with Micic and Clyburn who immediately make it clear that they are in the evening, 10-9. EA7 doesn’t let go and cannons from the perimeter with Shields and Voigtmann again, this is perhaps the last real acute of the first half of the red and whites. Clyburn does not stop hammering the basket of the Italian champions, Pleiss also signs up for the match, the flash of the hosts produces the first break, 20-14. Immediate timeout with coach Messina trying to stop Efes’ inertia, Hines and Davies try to mend, 25-22. However, the attack of coach Ataman’s men who keep up the pace does not stop, Larkin catches fire, 35–27. There is also the contribution of Beaubois and Bryant in the stretch to the interval of the Turks, 47-32. After the long pause, EA7’s reaction is expected but Efes is still the master of the game, Baron and Voigtmann avoid the collapse, 54-41. Micic and Bryant go wild in the open field, the plus 20 comes from the line with Pleiss. The hosts rediscover almost forgotten defensive attitudes, the pressure on the Milanese wingers produces a now reassuring advantage, 73-53 from Zizic. Final on velvet for the Turks who close calmly, Micic’s triple is that of the bracket, 80-60. (Marco Taminelli)

Istanbul:Larkin 18, Clyburn 16, Micic 15

Milan:Luwawu-Cabarrot 19, Voigtmann 12, Davies 9

Maccabi Tel Aviv-Virtus Bologna 111-80

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Only Ojeleye tried and, in the second half after an unused first half, Abass but it was too little to be able to think of stopping the yellow tide. Abass, however, after 13 points in 11′ raises the white flag due to a problem with his left adductor that will keep him out tomorrow against Efes (Belinelli is also in doubt). Already without Teodosic, Cordinier and Pajola, the external department of Virtus in Istanbul for a now irrelevant challenge will be even more reduced to the bone. “In the first half they canceled us, we suffered from their energy and speed – explains Scariolo -. In the second half we went a little better looking for better options but we suffered another injury to a fit player. The playoffs? The goal was to stay in the running until the end, but there were eight stronger teams than us and the pitch proved it even though we had a lot of injuries.” The 8-0 after just over a minute, with two triples from the very free Colson, already directs the game, masterfully managed by Brown and Baldwin and by a Maccabi who sends 7 men in double figures. Virtus has a jolt only at the beginning of the second quarter with six points from Belinelli for -9, but without defense comes the 21-2 which sends the Israelis to the interval on +29 to make the second half just a sgambat enlivened by a bickering between Shengelia and a fan at the beginning of the last quarter. (Luke Aquinas)

Maccabi: Hilliard 16, Baldwin and Brown 14

virtues: Ojeleye 16, Abass 13, Belinelli 8