Virtus Bologna, Sergio Scariolo puts his hands out for Euroleague match

Scariolo’s words on the eve of the match with Valencia

Having archived the break for national teams with the Italbasket boys clinching qualification for the FIBA 2023 World Cup thanks to an 85-84 success against Georgia, it’s Euroleague time for Virtus Bologna. Scariolo’s men will be engaged Thursday night against Valencia Basket at the Paladozza, a match valid for the eighth day of the Euroleague.

The coach of the bianconeri presented the challenge against the Spaniards in a press conference, “The first game after the national team windows is always complex. Compared to Valencia we have a different situation: they had all the players at their disposal and therefore they will come very prepared, with a very long roster, they reinforced especially in the guard department. We still have some situations in doubt about our players and we will have to figure out who we could count on.”

“Valencia is perhaps the most in-form team at the moment, it has won four of the last five games including the victories in Athens and with Efes but perhaps the game that impressed me the most was the one lost on the last shot with Fenerbahce,” Scariolo stressed. “This is a team with a very high shooting potential, almost all the players are skilled in shooting from long distance, they have a very high pace and intensity. Right now this is one of the toughest opponents to meet. We will have to make a great effort, also counting on the help of our fans: the key will be to stay focused for the entire 40′ and always have the knife between our teeth throughout the game.”