VIRTUS BOLOGNA – OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS 94-97 (25-23, 41-50; 60-77)
So much pride and so much heart are not enough for Virtus to take the scalp of Olympiacos. After having sunk to -20, and having a bruised Edwards, Ivanovic’s men showed off a final quarter with a 34 – 20 partial, being guided by the raids of the Vildoza-Morgan duo. Olympiakos made the most of the greater tonnage, and the centimeters of Milutinov, and made a gap in rebounds (40 vs 19 for the home team), but in the end they had to rely on the pure talent of Fournier (7 triples made) and Dorsey (23 points) to beat Bologna. Virtus leaves defeated, but with their heads held high and will now have to look to the infirmary to understand Jallow’s recovery time and Edwards’ condition.
Report: Olympiakos immediately had a great feeling with the long-range shot and forced Virtus to stretch the defense. Edwards is responsible for preventing the Greeks from moving away, scoring 9 points in the first quarter. After just over five minutes of contention, Vildoza enters the field, recovering from the low back pain that caused him to miss the match against Brescia. Former NBA player Morris makes his debut at Olympiakos. Virtus is an octopus in defense and steals numerous balls which generate fruitful counterattacks. The first half of the game ended with the hosts leading by two points thanks to an excellent throw that allowed Smailagic to deceive the Greek rearguard and take an easy shot.
Ivanovic throws Diarra into the fray who appears aggressive, perhaps too much given that the referees are not very lenient with him. Just over two minutes into the second quarter, Virtus has already committed five fouls and Olympiakos can take advantage of a less rough Juventus defense to get several trips to the line and have a double-digit advantage: 42 – 32 in favor of the Greeks in the 16th. Fournier is a sniper from beyond the arc and Bartzokas draws an excellent Peters from the bench. Virtus struggled to find a second fiddle to support the usual Edwards and so at half-time Virtus trailed by nine points (41 – 50). There are many difficulties in front of the basket with Olympiakos gaining 19 rebounds compared to only 8 for the home team.
Milutinov’s centimeters cannot be bought on the market, just like Vezenkov’s talent who dominates on the pitch with an embarrassing naturalness. Vildoza, ex of the match, is the one who puts in the most effort to prevent Olympiakos from running away. The task is difficult because the Greek defense cages the Bianconeri, with Pajola unable to find the right rhythm. Dorsey, and Fournier again, do very badly from three points and the distance between the two teams reaches twenty points. Then in the 30th minute the score says 60 – 77.
Walkup leaves for five fouls and Bartzokas temporarily entrusts the keys of the team to the newly arrived Morris who has yet to acclimate to the European game. Virtus has great pride and does not want to raise the white flag so easily. The reaction starts with Hackett and Morgan. In particular, the former London Lions lights up in the last quarter, turning the Arena into a boiling hot tub. The Bianconeri get closer to -5 (75 – 80). The Greeks, who were already thinking about the return flight, had to draw on all their energy to repel the home team’s comeback who regained the defensive intensity lost after the first quarter. If Morgan is very hot (12 points in the last quarter), Vildoza is no different. Two thrusts from the Argentine bring Virtus to -4 (84 – 88). Another stolen V and Niang hits the minus two with a minute and a half left. Fournier scores his seventh triple of the evening which gives Olympiakos oxygen back. Virtus doesn’t give up with Niang who dunks for -1. The Juventus defense is attentive, but Dorsey is even better and brings the Greeks back to a full possession lead with 20 seconds left. Vildoza gives a chocolate to Diouf who closes the gap for the last time. Peters is icy from the line and Alston’s prayer is not accepted. Ends 94 – 97.
VIRTUS BOLOGNA – OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS 94-97 (25-23, 41-50; 60-77)
BOLOGNA: Vildoza 17; Edwards 14; Pajola 4; Niang 7; Smailagic 9; Taylor NE; Alston 8; Hackett 6; Morgan 15; Diarrhea 0; Diouf 12; Akele 2. All. Ivanovic
PIREO: Walkup 2; Not playing 2; Lee NE; Morris 0; Vezenkov 16; Pap smear 5; Dorsey 23; Peters 13; Milutinov 13; Antetokounmpo NE; Hall 2; Fournier 21. All. Bartzokas
