Cantù, solidarity towards Paok fans
“Rest in peace, Paok fans” a banner was displayed by Pallacanestro Cantù fans during the first half of the game against Reyer Venezia, valid for the 18th day of the Serie A basketball championship. The Brianza fans displayed the banner, written in Greek, to express their support for the Paok Thessaloniki supporters who lost their lives last Thursday in a terrible car accident while traveling to France to watch the Europa League game against Lyon.
The banner was put up by the fans of the Italian team.
In recent days many ultras groups across Europe have hung similar condolence banners and made choruses in solidarity with the fans of the Greek team. The tragic accident occurred in Romania, in the Timis district: the Greeks’ vehicle invaded the oncoming lane and the tremendous impact with the tractor-trailer was unavoidable. For the seven Paok fans there was nothing to be done.
In Desio Saturday night with a couple of triples Reyer immediately stretched and went up 10-4. Ballo makes a big noise under the basket and the hosts get back to -3. But it’s a flash in the pan because the Venetians close the quarter at +9 (16-25). With energy and bombs by Smith and Sneed the Brianzoli get back to -4 after slipping to -12. At mid-quarter the guests are at +3. Ballo dunks the -1 ball forcing Spahija to a timeout.
The orogranatas stretch again to +8 that becomes +10 with a dunk by former Tessitori. He gets hurt on the occasion Ballo who was already at 13 points. At the long halftime Venice 50-Cantù 38. They restart and Venice flies to +17 before a 4-point game by Basile. The -18 forces De Raffaele to time out. Cantù does not give up and halves the gap (53-62). On +9 Spahija calls time-out while the Paladesio drags his team to -1 signed by 2 free throws by De Nicolao. At the buzzer it is Venice 68-Cantù 65.
Basile has the tying ball but catches the iron, Moraschini limits him and so does Green. Venice thanks and goes back to +5. Inaccuracy from distance prevents Cantù from getting closer. With 4 minutes to go Venice is +6 (74-68). It ends Reyer 86-Cantù 81.
