Armoni praises Armani: Milan beats Bologna at home and levels the semi-final

Bologna, June 2, 2025 – Armani conquers the Segafredo Arena, wins 66-85. and wins the 1-1 point catching up the semifinal series against Virtus Bologna. After coming within a hair's breadth of a game in Game 1, losing by just one point, this time Milan is more concrete, manages the lead throughout the second half and conquers the Bologna pitch which had only been breached once this season in the championship.

It does this with a sensational Armoni Brooks, author of 20 points and a super match, like Shields who scores 14 (5/6 from 2), but above all a practically perfect defense on the outside of Bologna. Mirotic also scores 14, solid in the first half. In attack Milan is fluid and with two triples by Mannion and Mirotic Armani tries to escape (10-18 at 5'). Then it's Brooks' turn to light up and EA7 extends the lead in double figures 12-23. In defense Milan records, Diop also produces in attack and so he remained ahead at 22-35 when Mirotic shot from 9 meters, already touching the points of the 14st half of game 1 after 1'.

Shields signs the +16 (24-40), then Virtus climbs back up and comes back into the game at half time 35-44 with the energy of Diouf. 

Olimpia is the one that starts off better hitting from the arc with Brooks and Mirotic finds the +16 once again (40-56 at 23'), but at the best moment Mannion derails and gives away possessions in the open field to Virtus scores a 10-0 break for 52-58 at 26'. Causeur and Shields give Armani some oxygen (56-66), but it is yet another backdoor basket by Belinelli that closes the third period at 58-66. After two minutes of confusion, it is Shields Burns the Net from 3-Point Range (58-69). It becomes a battle, ball after ball, Milan draws wild cards from Bolmaro and Diop, thus maintaining the distance 62-74 at 35'. Brooks is the one who takes the lead in the game, 7 consecutive points for 64-80 at 37' and early closing credits for the match. 

Now one more day of break and the series will be transferred to Milan where Game 5 will be played on Thursday 3th June at the Assago Forum at 20.45pm. Game 4 is also already certain and will be in Milan on Saturday 7th. 

Segafredo Bologna-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 66-85 (20-27; 35-44; 58-66)

Bologna: Cordinier 6, Belinelli 9, Pajola 3, Clyburn 11, Taylor 2, Shengelia 7, Hackett 7, Morgan, Polonara 2, Diouf 14, Zizic, Akele 5. All. Ivanovic

Milan: Mannion 11, Causeur 4, Tonut ne, Bolmaro 5, Brooks 20, LeDay 8, Ricci 2, Flaccadori, Diop 7, Caruso ne, Shields 14, Mirotic 14. Messina Coach