Virtus Shengelia, always a magical Toko

Virtus Bologna

85

of Reyer Venezia

74

SEGAFREDO: Hackett 6, Tucker 11, Cordinier 10, Shengelia 16, Diouf 13, Grazulis 5, Morgan 15, Pajola 4, Polonara, Belinelli 5, Akele, Visconti ne. Coach Ivanovic.

UMANA VENEZIA: Ennis 15, Parks 12, Wheatle, Wiltjer 20, Kabengele 9, Simms 5, Mcgruder 4, Casarin, Tessitori 9, Lever ne, Fernandez ne, Janelidze ne. All. Spahija.

Referees: Attard, Bongiorni, Pepponi.

Notes: Partials 21-13; 37-34; 57-53. Two-pointers: Virtus 22/33; Reyer 21/34. Three-pointers: 9/32; 6/25. Free throws: 14/19; 14/19. Rebounds: 31; 37

Maybe one day it will become an advertising campaign. "Have you got problems? Ring Shengelia". Yes, because Toko doesn't repeat the special effects seen on the banks of the Bosphorus - record points and rating in the Euroleague -, but he takes his teammates by the hand. Always. When the intensity rises, when the opponents get too close, Toko gets up from the bench, ties his long hair in a knot and, like a new Samson, strikes blows (in a good way) left and right. And the team rediscovers its old certainties.

Toko counts so much, that on a quiet evening - no aftermath after the conference of patron Zanetti - that the only thrill is given by him. In the second quarter he bends over, asks for a change. He sits down, they look at his left joint. A bit of exercise bike and the bionic man is back on the court. No problems. And no problems for Virtus that always stays ahead, except for the opening 0-2 and the 11-12 signed by two free throws by Simms.

The game continues in fits and starts: Virtus doesn't close the game, but Venice never finds the strength to reopen it.

So, in an evening that was all in all quiet and coincided with the 350th game in Serie A for captain Belinelli, there was also room for the ballistic performance of Matt Morgan, who is not shy. And he was ready, as was the former Venezia player Tucker. The only shivers, in a team without Clyburn and Zizic, and with Holiday who will presumably return for Friday's game against Paris, were the aches and pains.

Creaking (of bones and joints) and seasonal ailments are the only things that worry the proud Ivanovic.

And Ivanovic? "It was important to return to victory after two defeats that were understandable, but they came with a team without energy. We didn't play well, but we did it as a team, fighting, looking for the best possible options".