Half smile Virtus, victory and regrets

VIRTUS 80 EAGLE TRENTO 75

SEGAFREDO : Hackett 5, Belinelli 11, Cordinier 23, Shengelia 9, Diouf 7, Polonara 13, Pajola 8, Grazulis, Holiday, Akele 2, Morgan 2, Tucker. Coach Ivanovic.DOLOMITES TRENTO: Niang 13, Pecchia 4, Cale 5, Mawugbe 1, Lamb 15, Ford 11, Ellis 8, Zukauskas 15, Forray 3, Hassan ne. Coach Galbiati. Referees: Attard, Gonella, Pepponi. Notes: partial scores 26-20; 49-41; 64-56. Two-pointers: Virtus 23/41; Aquila 15/37. Three-pointers: 6/22; 9/25. Free throws: 16/19; 18/21. Rebounds: 36; 36.

Mission accomplished. But also looking at what happened on the way there, half accomplished. The Virtus overcomes Trento, but fails to overturn the difference in baskets (87-79 in the first leg) and in the event of a tie, with theAquila Trento, captain Belinelli and his teammates will have to start chasing. It's a shame because at the best moment, thanks to a triple by Belinelli, Virtus reaches the maximum advantage at +15, 62-47. There is no clarity needed to get to the end with such a gap. There is not even one of the most experienced elements, Daniel Hackett, who suffers a technical foul after a few too many words with Pecchia. Remaining on par with Brescia (who remains ahead because in the first leg Della Valle and his teammates had won in the sprint) is still a result not to be despised for a Virtus who is trying to find his balance. The situation is far from simple due to the real absence of Clyburn and the virtual absence of Holiday, who plays four minutes without leaving a trace. On par with his compatriot Tucker.

And before that? It starts with a touch of nostalgia and (just) tributes. The black and white curve, six years after his death, remembers Alberto Bucci with a banner 'I don't remember the results of life, but the people. You never forget them'. Like Albertone, in fact, and like Alessandro Galleani, who passed away on Saturday. Ivanovic gives up Zizic (turnover) and immediately relies on captain Belinelli. The Virtus is always ahead, but Trento confirms the good things it has shown this season - not only the lead, but also the Italian Cup - by repelling, one after the other, all the escape attempts of the Black V. Pajola gives the +9 on 22-13? Niang first and Ellis then sew it up. And even when Polonara, with a triple gives the maximum advantage on 49-38, here is the long-distance reply by Zukauskas.