TOLMEZZO, Italy – Pallacanestro Tolmezzo kicked off its playoff campaign in Italy’s Divisione Regionale 2 with a gritty 55-54 victory over CUS Udine on Monday night. The game, played at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Tolmezzo, was a physical and emotional battle that saw the home team rally from an eight-point deficit in the final seven minutes to secure the win.
The victory gives Tolmezzo a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five quarterfinal series. The team, coached by Giovanni Andreotti, finished the regular season in second place and will gaze to continue its strong play as it navigates the postseason. This win underscores their dominance at home, where they remained undefeated throughout the first phase of the tournament.
The contest wasn’t a showcase of offensive brilliance, described as “spigolosa” (rough) and “not very stunning aesthetically” by local reports, but it was a testament to Tolmezzo’s resilience. Trailing 54-46 with just seven minutes remaining, the team dug deep, elevating their defensive intensity and chipping away at the deficit.
The turning point came courtesy of a clutch three-pointer from Federico Bellina, who finished the night with 13 points. Bellina’s shot proved to be the decisive moment in a game decided by a single point. Rupil led all scorers with 17 points, while Gabriele Fachin added 10 points and crucial defensive contributions, particularly in the closing minutes.
“A victory like this is worth double, well done to my guys,” said coach Andreotti after the game. “It was a very tight game, played possession by possession against a really tough opponent who fought until the last second. We were very tense, you could feel the pressure of such an important game, but we managed to stay united and not lose our composure in the decisive moments. An extraordinary crowd pushed us on, never stopping to support us: in the most difficult moments they were our sixth man on the court.”
The atmosphere inside the Palazzetto dello Sport was electric, with a large and enthusiastic crowd providing a significant boost to the home team. Bellina echoed his coach’s sentiments, thanking the fans for their unwavering support. “First of all, thank you to all the fans who came to support us in this Game 1, many and very warm, a big applause to them,” Bellina said. “As we know, the playoffs are a different championship. It wasn’t our best game, but we were a team when it mattered. In the fourth quarter, we raised the defensive intensity and found the winning spark.”
Bellina also acknowledged the need for improvement heading into Game 2. “For Game 2, we will definitely have to be more fluid and ‘calm’ on offense, adjusting something on defense. I hope many fans will follow us to Udine because, as they well know, they offer us a big facilitate.”
The series now shifts to Udine, where Tolmezzo will have its first opportunity to close out the series on Thursday, April 2nd, at 9:00 PM local time (3:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM UTC) at the Palacus (Via delle Scienze, 100). The team will be looking to build on this momentum and secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
Tolmezzo Box Score: Rupil 17, Bellina 13, Fachin 10, Tamigi 6, Tosoni 4, Cimenti M. 3, Morassi 2, Ajello, Cimenti A., Ghersina, Iob.
This opening win sets the stage for a compelling playoff series. Tolmezzo’s ability to overcome adversity and capitalize on their home-court advantage will be key as they aim to advance further in the Divisione Regionale 2 playoffs. The team’s next challenge will be to replicate this performance on the road against a determined CUS Udine squad.
The Palazzetto dello Sport in Tolmezzo has become a fortress for the team, and their fans are clearly a vital part of their success. As the playoffs progress, the support of the local community will undoubtedly be crucial as Tolmezzo strives for championship glory.
Archysport will continue to provide updates on Pallacanestro Tolmezzo’s playoff journey.
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