Virtus, the blue gives new impetus to the group. Akele one of the best with the National team

La Italian National by Gianmarco Pozzecco archives a victory, against Türkiye away, and a home defeat with Hungary. But the double test gives Dusko Ivanovic a Nicholas Akele galvanized not only by the substantial playing time, but also by the performance offered.

The numbers don't lie: in Turkey, Nicola was on the court for 25 minutes during which he scored 11 points (4/5 two-pointers, 1/1 three-pointers, 0/2 free throws) with the addition of 5 rebounds, an assist, a turnover and 2 steals. And in Turkey, against a real team that wanted to win, Italy was able to win 67-80.

Nothing to do, however, at home: with Hungary comes a KO in the sprint, 67-71. But Akele does even better, because with one minute less available, he scores 17 points (3/3 from two, 3/5 from three, 2/2 from free throws) with the addition of 3 rebounds and an assist. Given that the overall evaluation was 18, in the 24 minutes in which Nicola remained on the court, Italy reached a difference of +20. Further sign that the presence of the former Brescia player, in black and white from this season, has been truly important.

And now? Now we start again in the sense that the Virtus he is back in the gym today, after the day off granted yesterday by Ivanovic. The three Italians – Alessandro Pajola, Momo Diouf and Nicola Akele – are already in Bologna, as are Toko Shengelia and Andrejs Grazulis. The only one missing to complete the group is Isaia Cordinier. The Frenchman played yesterday evening, he will be in town today, but it is likely that Dusko will avoid him overtime, calling him to the gym perhaps only for a few videos and a bit of stretching.

From today we start to get serious because, after that, there will be no stops for a Virtus which will have to resume the double track of championship-Euroleague.

Calendar in hand, the first match is linked to Europe because on Friday evening, at the Segafredo Arena, even the league leaders are expected Olympiacos. Then, on Sunday, the mother of all matches, again at the Fiera. This time with theOlimpia Milan, the traditional rival for the championship race.

But there are really many commitments in March: 10. With the Virtus so that he will be on the field every three days. After Milan there will be, on Friday 7th, the away match at home to Efes – the club now coached by former Juventus player Luca Banchi – and then, on March 10th (Monday, a postponement) the match against league leaders Trento, who have shown all their strength and desire to emerge by also winning the Coppa Italia.

The Akele so, maybe, the Virtus, who will also have Ante Zizic back on Friday, can look to the future with greater optimism.