Virtus Bologna vs Trapani: Playoff at Segafredo Arena with record crowd

Tomorrow, at Segafredo Arena, the play-off for the top spot. On one hand, the Virtus, on the other Trapani – which has never lost two games with the same team this season... – and a record crowd in the stands. Already sold out since the beginning of the week, with ten thousand people expected at the Segafredo Arena.

La Virtus, in the meantime, continues to work under the radar, but not too much, for the future. And it is clear that a future, still in Euroleague, would make one of the most iconic clubs (quote from CEO Paulius Motiejunas) even more attractive.

Once the confirmation has been recorded that Virtus and Shengelia could continue together also in the next season (very difficult, but not impossible), in via dell'Arcoveggio they are evaluating profiles that can go along with the ideas of Dusko Ivanovic, which President Massimo Zanetti himself confirmed in recent weeks.

A profile that is popular, after that of Saliou Niang, is that of Gabriele Procida, 22 years old, originally from Como, raised in Cantù and also spent a season in Bologna (Fortitudo side). Chosen in the 2022 draft by the Detroit Pistons, Gabriele signed a three-year contract with Alba Berlin that same season.

From July 1st he will be free to settle down wherever he wants. He is happy in Germany and has found himself well, but it is clear that the choice of Berlin – Fiba Champions League – is not the best showcase for someone who, perhaps, hopes for an NBA call. From this point of view, the Virtus It could represent the best showcase for the Azzurri, arriving in an environment in which, among other things, he knows several players due to their shared experience in the Azzurri shirt.

For a possible playoff graft, Virtus has until Thursday or Friday (depending on the date of the quarterfinal opener) to add. But the more time passes, the clearer it seems that Ivanovic wants to continue with the faithful.

Lba Awards. Double nomination for Capitan Futuro. Alessandro Pajola is in the running for both the title of best Italian and best defender. For the title of regular season mvp, among the candidates is Toko Shengelia.

Closing with Olimpia Milano: starting next season the sporting director will be Daniele Baiesi, from Bologna, born in 1975. 'Baio', who started as a colleague, then discovered himself as an excellent manager, doing well in Biella, then Bamberg and Monaco and becoming a point of reference for NBA franchises. He will work closely with Ettore Messina.