Reyer Venezia, Neven Spahija expects an immediate reaction against Cantù

After the clear away loss to Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem in the ninth day of the EuroCup, Umana Reyer Venezia seeks immediate redemption in the league. On Sunday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. at Palasport Taliercio, the Orogranata team hosts Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù for the tenth day of the LBA regular season, in a game that is a great classic of Italian basketball. It is a challenge full of fascination and significance, not only because of the historic sports rivalry between two squares that have written the history of our basketball, but also in terms of the emotional value of the’encounter.

Luca Giorgetti

This will be game number 90 between the clubs, the last one played in the 2020/21 season. The balance in the games played so far is 56-33 in favor of Cantù although Reyer has won 10 of the last 11 precedents and is ahead 24-20 in home games. The Lombardy team is playing its comeback season in Serie A with a roster that is a mix of experience and youth. Wing Xavier Sneed (14 points and 4.8 rebounds) is the team&#8217s top scorer, followed by point guard Jacob Gilyard (11.2 points and 6.2 assists), guard Giordano Bortolani (11 points) and center Oumar Ballo (10.6 points and 9 rebounds). Captain Riccardo Moraschini and Andrea De Nicolao are two highly experienced Italians in the Italian league and key pawns on coach Nicola Brienza’s roster.

“In Belgrade we did not play well, however, the condition of the team is not bad – stressed coach Neven Spahija -I think we paid dearly for the break for nationals, having had five players absent: this group needs to be together and work together. The fact that we did not train fully weighed, because actually the team trains much better than what we saw on the court in Belgrade. Now we have to take responsibility and react immediately against Cantù: I trust that we will, as we always have this season. We have to look ahead and get back to winning. In Serie A every opponent is dangerous if you don’t approach the game the right way, but we will be ready. Cantù possesses great individual talent and clear ideas in both defense and offense; in addition, their American players are of high level”.

“It is a game with a special flavor, both for me and for the whole orogranata’environment, added Giovanni De Nicolao -. I have been challenging Andrea for several years now, but it is always a unique thrill and this time it will be even more so because the roles have been reversed: usually I was the one challenging him here in Venice, now the opposite happens. It will be an exciting moment for our fans as well, given the return of a player who has written important pages in Reyer’s recent history. As for the court, we are ready: we want to redeem ourselves immediately after the loss against Jerusalem. We know Cantù well, having also faced them in pre-season: they are a team in constant growth. We will have to be good at imposing our game and making the court factor”.