Virtus Bologna beats Trento 80-75 and joins Brescia at the top

Bologna, March 10, 2025 - The Virtus beats 80-75 in the postponed matches of the 21st day Trento and reaches the top, in a very close ranking, Brescia. Bianconeri on the field with the returning Belinelli in the quintet and Tucker on the scoresheet, while Visconti and among the foreigners Zizic remain on the sidelines. Trento and Virtus play in the direct clash for the top spot in the ranking. In fact, whoever wins detaches their direct opponent and reaches Brescia.

The black and whites start they rely on Hackett, Cordinier, Belinelli, Shengelia and Diouf. Facing a combative Dolomiti Energia, Virtus starts off on the right foot. Leading the black and white attack is Isaia Cordinier, unstoppable and at his best performance of the season with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Initially the black and white attack, which during the match will find many excellent protagonists, is mainly on the shoulders of the Frenchman. The black and whites are in control, but Trento, with 4 elements in double figures, does not give up and always remains in contact.  

At the first stop the advantage of the Black Vs is 6 lengths, which reach double figures on +10, 30-20 at the beginning of the second half. The challenge always remains on the edge of balance, with Virtus that extends, but with Trento that right at the end of the half returns to reduce the gap. At the interval Virtus ahead by 8, same differential as the challenge of the first leg, when, on December 22nd last Trento won at home 87-79.

In the second half the black and whites, relying on Hackett's defensive actions, Polonara's all-round performance and Belinelli's baskets try to extend the lead, reaching +15 on 62-47. Trento doesn't give up and closes the gap to 64-56 with which they go to the last break. In the last fraction of the game Trento comes back to -4 on 68-64 at 35'.

Virtus still has the chance to close the match by touching 73-64 and ball in hand, but does not find the knockout blow. The fatigue is felt from both ends of the court. Zukauskas responds to Cordinier for 76-70 with 1'13” to go. Trento comes close to reopening the match, but Lamb misses the triple with a handful of seconds to go.

With 5” to go, Virtus, ahead 80-75, has the opportunity to try to rebalance the -8 of the first leg, but fails to shoot. It ends with a victory for the Bianconeri with 4 teams, Brescia and Virtus in the lead, Trento and Trapani immediately behind, within 2 points. On Thursday at the Segafredo Arena, the Euroleague air returns with the challenge with Real Madrid.  

The little table

VIRTUS BOLOGNA 80 DOLOMITI ENERGIA TRENTO 75 VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Hackett 5, Cordinier 23, Belinelli 11, Shengelia 9, Diouf 7; Pajola 8, Tucker, Holiday, Grazulis, Morgan 2, Polonara 13, Akele 2. Coach Ivanovic. DOLOMITI ENERGIA TRENTO: Lamb 15, Niang 13, Pecchia 4, Cale 5, Mawugbe 1; Ford 11, Ellis 8, Forray 3, Zukauskas 15, Hassan ne. Coach Galbiati. Referees: Attard, Gonella, Pepponi Notes: partial scores 26-20, 49-41, 64-56. Two-point shots: Virtus 23/41; Trento 15/37. Three-pointers: 6/22; 9/25. Free throws: 16/19; 18/21. Rebounds: 36; 36.