Virtus falls to Partizan Belgrade 71-81

Bologna 5 February 2025 - A willing Virtus pays dearly for the empty passage in the two central halves and falls at the Segafredo Arena in front of the Partizan Belgrade 71-81. The energy to counter Partizan was lacking and so the 18th Euroleague defeat It materialized at the end of a challenge that the Serbs turned in their favor thanks to the scoring streak of the two Joneses and Brown, but also to a defense that at times stopped the black and white attack for which the double-digit performances of Shengelia and Cordinier were not enough to avoid the knockout.

On the 25th day of the Euroleague at the Segafredo Arena, the Dusko Ivanovic's Virtus and Zeliko Obradovic's Partizan Belgrade. Serbia coming off a great run of form (5 wins in the last 7 matches), even though the last round saw a very heavy defeat in the derby against Stella Rossa. At Virtus, with Zizic and Clyburn absent, it's Justin Holiday's first game, just enough time to return from the States with his visa, train with his teammates and take to the field. Ivanovic takes to the field with Pajola, Cordinier, Tucker, Shenghelia, Diouf. In the first quarter the challenge remains on the edge of substantial balance with Brown already at 8 on one side while on the Virtus side, needless to say, the protagonist is Toto Shengelia. At the end of the quarter the V Nere score a mini partial taking them to +6. The inertia changes in the second half of the game, with Obradovic's team raising the defensive pace and putting together a partial of 3-13 taking a 26-30 lead at 15'. The usual one takes care of it Shengelia to keep Virtus in its wake. In second half final Holiday also makes his debut, with Ivanovic relying on a decidedly undersized quintet. Partizan takes advantage of the size advantage, but also of the great aggression that the former Lundberg and his teammates show on the field and extends reaching +8 right at halftime at 36-44. first advantage in double figures, in favor of Partizan on the first play of the second half with a basket by Tyrique Jones for 36-46. Partizan starts the second half as they finished the second quarter that is to say with a defense that dries up the black and white guns. Virtus that falls to -14 on 38-52 under the shots of Brown and Carlik Jones. The usual Georgian warrior Toto Shengelia tries to lift it up, sometimes forcing too much, but he is the only real terminal of a team drained of energy. Virtus finds points and tries to stay attached to the match by scoring from long distance, Hackett 2 times Morgan reduce the gap, even if the challenge is in the hands of the Serbians. Virtus tries with pride and courage in the last quarter of the challenge, gets back to -4 on 63-67 sl 33'. Virtus tries with the energy of Polonara. With 2'40” to go on 71-75 Obradovic calls for time. The final push to the match comes from Tyrique Jones. On Friday, the Euroleague will double up again for the challenge with Paris, a team whose staff includes Stefano Ivanovic, son of Juventus coach Dusko.

The little table

VIRTUS BOLOGNA 71

PARTIZAN BELGRADE 81

VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Pajola 5, Cordinier 13, Tucker 3, Shenghelia 16, Diouf 2; Holiday, Belinelli, Hackett 7, Grazulis 8, Morgan 9, Polonara 8; Akele none. Coach Ivanovic.

PARTIZAN MOZZART BET BELGRADE: C. Jones 19, Lundberg 9, Brown 20, Bonga 8, T. Jones 12; Davies 11, Pokusevski, Lakic 2, Mike none, Washington none, Koprivica none, Nakic none. All. Obradovic.

Referees: Mogulkoc, Shemmesh, Udyanskyy

Notes: partials 23-17, 36-44, 57-66.

Two-Point Shooting: Virtus 17/33; Partizan 19/41. Three-Point Shooting: 9/24; 11/18. Free Throws 10/12; 10/14. Rebounds: 27; 34.