The Basques miss Forrest’s free throws in extra time with two seconds left: against his former team Ivanovic clings to the American, Cordinier and Polonara
Despite the many serious injuries, a great Virtus was seen tonight against Baskonia: the Vu Nere beat Laso’s team 76-74, the first of the 2025 Euroleague at the Segafredo Arena is honored in the best way. Without Clyburn, Zizic, Shengelia and Tucker, Matt Morgan (17 points) takes responsibility for the Virtussian attack: it is he who leads Segafredo’s amazing comeback between the second and third quarters. The excellent Samanic-Rogkavopoulos duo (29 points combined) was not enough for Laso’s team, who were defeated in the final by Forrest’s missed free throws.
POLONARA SEWS UP
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Virtus had a decent offensive start thanks to a highly inspired Cordinier (9 points in the first quarter), capable of burning Laso’s men both in penetration and from the arc. Less good in defense, where too many vacant spaces are left near the rim, so much so that the Black Vu are forced to spend several fouls on Luwawu-Cabarrot and Samanic (8/8 combined from the line in the first 10′) to prevent easy baskets . The matter risks getting worse in the second quarter, when a couple of turnovers trigger Baskonia’s open-field counterattacks. Polonara takes care of containing the opponent’s sprint with triples. The Black Vu regain their courage and continue in the wake of the Basques, returning to the locker room trailing by just one point (37-38), even risking overtaking on an acrobatic attempt by Morgan close to the siren.
MORGAN RAISES
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Segafredo’s comeback was completed in the second half, right in the wake of the US winger’s play: 7 points in a row for him and overtaking at 44-38. The script is overturned, now the Bianconeri are scary from the arc, and are also dangerous on the rebound. It is always Morgan who smells blood: Ivanovic gives him the keys to the attack, and so the number 30 – supported by Grazulis – makes his team escape, even reaching a +15 lead (57-42). The Basques feel the pinch, but they don’t remain down: Rogkavopoulos and Samanic increase their tone and bring the guests back into contact. The last quarter is played on the edge of balance, with several overtaking and counter-overtaking. Cordinier seems to close the game with a triple for +6 (76-70) 1′ from the end, but an unsportsmanlike foul called against Grazulis unnerves the entire Segafredo Arena. Baskonia has the opportunity to equalize it, but Forrest misses the two free throws useful for the lead two seconds from the end: in the end Virtus wins 76-74.
Virtus: Morgan 17, Cordinier 16, Polonara 15
Baskonia: Samanic 16, Rogkavopoulos 13, Luwawu-Cabarrot 11
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