Virtus Bologna beaten by Monaco, Luca Banchi’s regrets

Virtus Bologna beaten by Monaco, Luca Banchi’s regret

At the Segafredo Arena Virtus Bologna è was beaten 81-78 by Monaco in the game of the 26th day of the Euroleague regular season.

There are many breaks and counterbreaks in the first quarter but it was the guests who finished in front 21-16. In the second quarter Monaco takes the lead and even gets as much as 16 lengths ahead but at the long intermission the score è 45-35.

The Black Vs get slightly closer in the third quarter and keep their opponents in sight.When the last ten minutes begin, they are down 54-60 after also being down -1.

The’last quarter è to the heartbreak: the Black Vs tie the score at 7-4 with 2’50” to go with a triple by Marco Belinelli, then take the lead with two free throws by Tornike Shengelia, who shortly afterwards scores again from the lunette

But it’s a Mike James triple and four free throws to score on six that decide the match in Monaco’s favor. Belineli and James close to 21 on the score but Jordan Loyd, author of the free throws for the final overtake, scores 24 points.

“È it was a tough game, we lost to a great opponent that in the first twenty minutes showed its potential and physicality,” said coach Luca Banchi at the end of the game.

“In the second half we did better but it wasn’t è enough. We had a few too many difficulties in finding our rhythm of play in the first 20 minutes. We have been competing at this level for months and we feel that we belong at this level and on these occasions we have the desire to get the best”.

“The end of the game did not reward us, there remains regret for the defeat but there’è the knowledge that these episodes will make us more solid”.