Virtus KO But the head is already on the Italian Cup

Virtus Bologna

71

Partizan Belgrade

81

SEGAFREDO: Pajola 5, Cordinier 13, Tucker 3, Shengelia 16, Diouf 2, Grazulis 8, Hackett 7, Morgan 9, Belinelli, Polonara 8, Holiday, Akele ne. Coach Ivanovic.

PARTIZAN BELGRADE: Lundberg 9, Carlik Jones 19, Brown 20, Bonga 8, Tyrique Jones 12, Lakic 2, Davies 11, Pokusevski, Washington ne, Koprivica ne, Nakic ne, Mike ne. All. Obradovic.

Referees: Mogulkoc, Shemmesh, Udyanskyy.

Notes: Partials 23-17; 36-44; 57-66. Two-pointers: Virtus 17/33; Partizan 19/41. Three-pointers: 9/24; 11/18. Free throws: 10/12; 10/14. Rebounds: 27; 34.

Can you be happy about a defeat, especially at home? Obviously not. But on the night in which it leads the games only in the first quarter, Virtus finds a way to at least sketch a timid smile. Thinking about the final eight of the Coppa Italia scheduled for Wednesday in Turin.

Signs of life came from Hackett and Polonara, in the third quarter and in the final fraction.

Down 14, 38-52, Virtus – which has less motivation than a Partizan that still sees the play-in – risks derailing. First, Hackett puts on a mean face, also suffering a breakthrough like in the good old days. Then Polonara, who after a first half as a non-paying spectator, finds talent, desire and points.

Along with Justin Holiday's debut – 10 minutes and just one shot to understand the new system – there's perhaps enough to sketch a faint smile.

And then? Friction between fans, a few too many words at the end between Tyrique Jones and Hackett (Shengelia acting as UN observer) and the long-distance duel, on the bench, between the big bosses 'Hands on hips' and 'Purple face'.

Ivanovic, hands on hips, shakes his head frequently, not convinced that his boys have truly understood the lesson.

His rival Obradovic is decidedly more heated, and he easily catches fire. And between one outburst and another, he takes the blackboard to explain to the 'schoolboy' Lakic what he wants from him.

But there is no time to catch your breath. Tomorrow, again at the Segafredo Arena, there is the challenge with Paris. With the hope that, perhaps, Holiday has entered into some scheme. And with the curiosity to understand what the shareholders' meeting will produce, after the patron Massimo Zanetti gave the sack to Luca Baraldi.