Virtus Shengelia sets record, but it's not enough

Fenerbahce Istanbul 95Virtus Bologna 81

FENERBAHCE ISTANBUL: McCollum 15, Melli 8, Sanli 11, Mahmutoglu 3, Hayes-Davis 8, Biberovic 9, Hall 6, Pierre, Guduric 17, Zagars 6, Colson 12, Birch. All. Jasikevicius.

SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Cordinier 12, Belinelli 3, Pajola, Visconti 3, Shengelia 35, Hackett 4, Grazulis 7, Morgan 11, Polonara 2, Diouf 2, Akele 2, Tucker. Coach Ivanovic.

Referees: Perez, Zamojski, Baena.

Notes: Partials 22-13; 46-37; 69-54. Two-pointers: Istanbul 18/27; Virtus Bologna 24/44. Three-pointers: 17/29; 4/11: Free throws: 8/12; 21/25. Rebounds: 26; 25.

ISTANBUL (Türkiye)Fenerbahce put their foot on the accelerator only in the last 5 minutes, leaving Virtus a few meters behind them, a change of pace that is also possible because Dusko Ivanovic decides that Toko Shengelia should not play the last half of the fourth quarter, as the game is already lost, saving him for tomorrow's game when Venice will arrive at the Segafredo Arena.

There are no hyperbole to describe the performance of the Georgian with the scoreboard that to the 35 points scored (personal record), already alone would be news, adds a precision bordering on perfection and even 5 rebounds. The statistics, then, I can not record, but they let us understand how much his leadership has kept together a group that is acquiring the mentality of those who always try even when the situation seems to be compromised, but that has not yet reached this psychological hardness.

There is nothing else to say, except that after the exit of the number twenty-one of the black and whites with 4'48'' to go, the home team reached the maximum advantage at +19 (89-70) and from then on they had an easy life despite those who were on the field trying to find a last burst of pride. It is the epilogue of a match where the guests were down for 39' after having immediately taken the lead at 0-2.

Thanks to a lethal 17/29 three-point shooting, Fenerbahce deservedly earned their eleventh consecutive Euroleague victory, but on the other hand, they return to Bologna knowing that at this level the only thing they can do is fight tooth and nail, having neither Ante Zizic nor Will Clyburn at their disposal.

There was nothing at stake, but several reassuring signs arrived for the Coppa Italia final eight that will be played in 10 days.