Virtus Venezia 90-85, the Black Vs dominate game 1

Bologna, May 18, 2025 - Virtus beats Venice 90-85 and wins game 1 of the playoff quarterfinals. At the Segafredo Arena, Dusko Ivanovic's team dominates, reaching the maximum advantage over +21 at the beginning of the last fraction, but then in the final he risks a little too much allowing Venice to come back to -5, but always keeping a firm hold on the reins of the match.

First phases of study 2-0 at 1', 2-5 immediately after, 10-9 at 4', then the Black Vs put the arrow, put together a partial of 10-2 and at 7' they are already ahead 20-11 on the initiatives of Clyburn and in general of a team that finds the right balance in attack, between outside shooting and penetrations under the basket. On the other side of the court, the usual excellent defense of the V Nere puts Reyer in difficulty. At 8' the advantage of the black and whites reaches double digits on 24-13, reaching +14 on 28-14 shortly after.

The Forever Boys salute Bologna for the victory of the Italian Football Cup with a banner “The squadron is back, Bologna champion” which is followed by applause from the entire Arena. In the second half the challenge continues with a substantial balance; Virtus always ahead in the score and Venezia always chasing without ever managing to get close. The excellent scoring streak of Achilles Polonara, starting in the quintet and already in double figures before the break, confirms the quality of the Bologna attack and keeps the opponents at bay, who however in the final stages, exploiting the power under the basket of Wiltjer and Kabengele, put together a partial of 0-9 and come back to -4 at the break.

The second half opens with 5 consecutive points by Clyburn, but with Venice back to -4 on 53-49, they try to give the match a definitive push. Future Captain Alexander Pajola, with defense, direction, but also with 6 quick points resulting from a basket and an additional free throw and a triple that, at 28' is worth 66-55 for the black and whites. Morgan first and then captain Belinelli are no less and Virtus retouches the maximum advantage on +18, 74-56 at 30'.

In the last fraction of the game the pace of the game slows down, but Virtus controls and ensures the victory. The pace of the game slows down, there is time for the debut of Brandon Taylor, 2', and Venice, thanks to a Virtus already in the locker rooms, reduces the gap with a break of 0-13, bringing it back to -8 on 85-77. Technical to Wiltjer, double technical and expulsion to the guest coach Spahija and then a final with a few too many worries, with Moretti (19 points and best on the field for Reyer) the last to surrender. Skirmishes in view of game 2 which tomorrow promises to be a battle, after all with the 1-0 for Virtus the series has just begun.

The little table

VIRTUS BOLOGNA 90

REYER VENICE 85

SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Hackett 5, Clyburn 12, Cordinier 4, Polonara 10, Zizic 10; Pajola 11, Morgan 12, Belinelli 11, Shengelia 7, Diouf 8, Taylor, Akele ne. All. Ivanovic.

HUMAN VENICE: Ennis 5, Wheatle 2, Parks 13, Wiltjer 14, Kabengele 15; Tessitori 3, McGruder 2, Casarin 10, Simms 2, Moretti 19; Lever ne, Fernandez ne. All. Spahija.

Referees: Rossi, Perciavalle, Baldini. 

Footnotes: partials 28-18, 45-41, 74-56. Two-pointers: Virtus 22/34; Venice 21/30. Three-pointers: 9/22; 8/27. Free throws: 19/23; 19/26. Rebounds: 28; 26