Virtus Bologna beats Olimpia Milano, the words of Dusko Ivanovic and Ettore Messina
Virtus Bologna beats Olimpia Milano, the words of Dusko Ivanovic and Ettore Messina
Virtus Bologna rang out, beating EA7 Emporio Armani Milano 86-80 at the Segafredo Arena in the big match of the 20th day of LBA. It went on in spurts in the first quarter: 8-1 for Milan, 15-15 and 17-17, 25-17 for Olimpia ending the first ten minutes on 25-20. In the second quarter from 20-29 Virtus threads an 18-2 partial and goes to the’long interval ahead 38-34.
Same old story in the second half: in the third quarter the hosts stretch to 50-38, get caught up 55-55 but at the last ten minutes they still get there ahead 63-59. In the last quarter Dusko Ivanovic’s team managed to hold off Ettore Messina’s team, in whose ranks there were 22 points by Nikola Mirotic, for Virtus 19 and 7 rebounds by Marco Belinelli. Here are the words of the two coaches.
Dusko Ivanovic: "We started like in the last game then we put the right energy and intensity in the rest of the game. We had Shengelia who due to fever never è trained. A good win for us. I honestly don’t know what people are saying. But I believe in this team, sometimes we play well, sometimes less. We can win or lose. But we fight in every game, until the end. These guys train well and hard. The referees? I don’t want to talk about the referees. Even for them è difficult, I know. I just ask, every time, the same refereeing criteria. Akele? He played well, but he had also played well against’Olympiacos, è an important player for us".
Ettore Messina: “Congratulations to Virtus that è managed to win a game in two moments. When it recovered our start that had been quite good. Then when we got even in the second half they held on when we lost Belinelli three times in transition and it takes effort to do that. We had reopened the game, with more coolness we could have changed the inertia. In the fourth quarter we missed too many good shots. I am happy becauseé è it was a game, this è an important sign of commitment. Are there more alternatives to Olimpia and Virtus for the Scudetto? I agree, è it is an open championship. Then you know, already in the past there have been teams that did well in the regular season and then felt pressure in the playoffs to have to win. We are more used to it. Also true that this year keeping up with the pace of the EuroLega and the championship is not easy, we have to see how we all get to May. Forò there's a good level more and more widespread and many teams that can have their say. Everyone who was out couldn't play. Unfortunately for Shields we are a little worried. He played two games with Denmark, especially the last one when he was worthless. He had a tendon inflammation after Thursday's game. We hope to have him for the next one”.
