Virtus falls 70-92 under the blows of the league leaders Olympiacos

Bologna 28 February 2025 - A terrible first half, a recovery where at least we saw grit and determination, even if not enough to overturn a situation that was already heavily compromised at half-time.

Virtus falls 70-92 under the blows of the league leaders Olympicos on the 27th day of the Euroleague, after a soft, surrendering, confusing start, and where the Black Vs seem to be the same surrenderers seen in the Italian Cup with Milan. At least in the second half we saw a Virtus that tried. Even though the match was never in doubt, the Bianconeri at least gave the impression of trying, with the values ​​on the pitch appearing all too clear.

Absent are the flu-ridden Polonara and Shengelia, Virtus takes to the field with an unprecedented and aseptic quintet made up of the American trio Morgan, Holliday, Tucker, to which Dusko Ivanovic adds an Akele galvanized by his performance in blue and the returning Zizic. Virtus ahead 2-0 with Akele at the opening, then it's only Olympiacos. The Greeks they put together a 0-14 partial with Ivanovic who after 5 minutes of nothing, including a useless timeout, decides to change the entire quintet.

The fury of the top of the class it doesn't end here with the partial of the red and whites that is broken, after the 0-17, by a couple of baskets of Cordinier. But the challenge is immediately one-way with Virtus that sinks to -20 on 14-34 right at the buzzer of the end of the first quarter.

Ad the beginning of the second half goes even worse with Ivanovic forced to ask for time at 15' on -26 after yet another guest basket for 18-44. V Nera also ends up at -28 on Peters' basket at the end of the second quarter, before Akele's final 5 points set the score at 29-54 at half-time.

It will be that Olympiacos with the victory already in their pocket that gives up, or maybe it will be due to Ivanovic's words in the locker room, the fact is that, finally, at least in the second half, Virtus is also seen on the field.

The black and whites try to climb back up up to -18 on 40-58 thanks to triples by Hackett and Akele to which must be added the points by Diouf and Cordinier.

On the pitch it seems like we are witnessing a whole other challenge, with Virtus getting excited and exciting the Segafredo Arena crowd, coming back to -12 on 48-60 at 27'. Vildoza and Vezenkov return to stretch Bartzokas' team. Despite the deficit, the audience applauds confirming that he at least appreciated the fighting spirit of the black and whites in the second half, but it was not enough, Olympiacos were too strong and returned to play, did not give discounts and won easily.

Leaving behind the challenge with Olympiacos and the Euroleague, Virtus will return to the field in less than 48 hours, Sunday afternoon at 18.15 for the Italian derby with A7 Armani Milano.

The little table

VIRTUS BOLOGNA 70 OLYMPIACOS 92 VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Morgan 7, Holiday 4, Tucker 6, Akele 7, Zizic 6; Hackett 10, Cordinier 15, Belinelli 2, Grazulis 2, Diouf 9, Pajola 2; Visconti ne. Coach Ivanovic. OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS: Williams-Goss 2, Forunier 12, Papanikolaou 11, Vezenkov 12, Fall 12; Larentzakis 5, Vildoza 5, Dorsey 5, Peters 12, Milutinov 12, Mckissic 4; Mensah ne. Coach Bartzokas. Referees: Garcia, Lottermoser, Konstantinovs. Notes: partial scores 14-34, 29-54, 54-68 Two-pointers: Virtus 21/41; Olympiacos 26/41. Three-pointers: 4/22, 9/26. Free throws: 16/22; 13/15. Rebounds: 30; 43.