Cividale del Friuli, Italy — The Old Wild West of Italian basketball delivered its first playoff shockwave Friday night as Dole Basket Rimini stormed to a 78-91 victory over Cividale in Game 1 of the Serie B Nazionale semifinals. The result hands Rimini a commanding 1-0 series lead heading into Saturday’s decisive Game 2 at home, while Cividale faces an existential crisis with their playoff survival hanging by a thread.

The game unfolded at the Vitrifrigo Arena in Cividale, where Rimini’s relentless offense and Cividale’s defensive struggles painted a picture of a team on the cusp of a historic playoff run. With the stakes higher than ever, both teams will now turn their attention to Rimini’s home court advantage in Game 2, where the underdogs will need to channel their best basketball to avoid elimination.

Key Moments That Defined the Game

Rimini’s victory was built on a foundation of clutch performances and strategic execution. Here are the turning points that shifted the momentum:

• Early Rimini Dominance (0-10): The Rimini offense clicked immediately, using a 3-1 start to establish an early lead. Cividale struggled to contain Rimini’s perimeter shooters, particularly Tomassini (19 pts) and Porter (18 pts), who combined for 37 points in the first half.
• Cividale’s Half-Time Rally (28-36): Cividale’s defense tightened in the second quarter, forcing Rimini into a 10-10 run that kept the game within striking distance. Redivo (17 pts) led the charge with a 7-0 stretch in the final two minutes of the half.
• Third-Quarter Collapse (48-60): Rimini’s bench stepped up in the third, with Denegri (12 pts, 5 ast) orchestrating a 12-4 run to extend the lead. Cividale’s defense appeared exhausted, committing five turnovers in the quarter.
• Game-Sealing Free Throws (70-78): With 3:30 remaining, Rimini’s Berti (14 pts, 6 reb) hit two free throws to put Cividale in a defensive scramble. Cividale’s inability to close the gap in the final minutes sealed their fate.

Standout Performances: Who Carried Rimini to Victory?

The Rimini roster delivered a balanced attack, with multiple players stepping up in critical moments. Here are the top statistical leaders from Game 1:

Coaching Impact: Rimini head coach Massimo Galli (records show) implemented a zone defense in the second half that completely disrupted Cividale’s rhythm. Cividale’s inability to adapt to the switch-heavy scheme proved decisive.

What Which means for the Serie B Playoffs

The Serie B Nazionale playoffs have taken on a new level of drama with Rimini’s victory. Here’s how this result reshapes the postseason landscape:

• Rimini’s Path to the Finals: With a 1-0 series lead, Rimini now holds the home-court advantage for Game 2 (May 23, 2026, 20:30 CET at Dole Basket Rimini Arena). A victory would clinch the series and send them to the Serie B Nazionale Finals.
• Cividale’s Existential Crisis: Cividale faces elimination with a Game 2 loss. Their season would end in heartbreak after a valiant playoff run. The team’s defense, which allowed 78 points on 45% shooting, will need a complete overhaul for Saturday.
• Old Wild West Semifinals Implications: The other semifinal matchup between Fortitudo Bologna and Tezenis Verona (Game 1 result: 59-60 Verona win) remains wide open. Verona’s victory puts them in a 1-0 hole, setting up a potential series decider on Saturday.

Playoff Format Reminder: The Serie B Nazionale playoffs follow a best-of-three format. Teams must win two games to advance. Game 2 for Rimini vs. Cividale is scheduled for May 23, 2026, at 20:30 CET (UTC+2) at the Dole Basket Rimini Arena.

Tactical Breakdown: How Rimini Outsmarted Cividale

Rimini’s victory wasn’t just about individual performances—it was a masterclass in tactical execution. Here’s how they gained the upper hand:

• Perimeter Shooting Dominance: Rimini shot 48% from the field and 42% from three-point range, forcing Cividale to play catch-up. Their small-ball lineup (5’10” Porter at forward) stretched Cividale’s defense.
• Defensive Switching: Rimini’s zone defense in the second half created mismatches that Cividale couldn’t exploit. Their guards were forced into contested mid-range shots, while Rimini’s bigs (Berti, Campogrande) dominated the paint.
• Bench Contributions: Rimini’s bench (Denegri, Rota, Faggioli) combined for 28 points and 12 assists, providing the spark that kept Cividale off balance.
• Cividale’s Struggles: Cividale’s offense stalled in the third quarter, going 8-of-22 from the field. Their inability to score inside 10 feet (only 2-of-12 FG) crippled their attack.

Key Stat: Rimini outrebounded Cividale 38-32, a critical advantage in a physical playoff series.

What’s Next: Game 2 Preview

With the series tied at 1-0, all eyes turn to Rimini’s home court for Game 2. Here’s what to expect:

• Venue Advantage: The Dole Basket Rimini Arena (capacity: 3,500) will be electric, with Rimini’s faithful expected to provide a roaring backdrop for their team.
• Cividale’s Game Plan: Cividale will likely return to a man-to-man defense to disrupt Rimini’s spacing. Their bigs (Ferrari, 7 rebounds) will need to assert themselves in the paint.
• Rimini’s Challenges: Rimini’s bench will be crucial. If Denegri and Rota don’t contribute, Cividale could exploit Rimini’s lack of depth.
• Injury Watch: No major injuries were reported before Game 1, but Rimini’s Campogrande (6 rebounds, 2 blocks) will be key in Game 2.

Game Time: May 23, 2026, at 20:30 CET (UTC+2). Full schedule and tickets.