Olimpia Milano vs. Virtus Bologna Isn’t Over Yet: Verbal Clashes Between Fans
The Olimpia Milano-Virtus Bologna game isn’t over yet and is continuing on social media. After all, there was no shortage of tension in this EuroLeague derby. With play stopped, Garrison Mathews and Daniel Hackett came into contact, first locking arms and then shoving each other several times. The referees reviewed the incident at length before calling a technical foul on both players. The tension didn’t subside with the final buzzer: Mathews and Hackett continued to exchange words from a distance even after the game ended, making the atmosphere on the court even more heated.
And hours later, people are still talking about the two players’ behavior, particularly that of the Italian, who has been praised by Juventus fans and harshly criticized by the red-and-white supporters. It should not be forgotten that from 2013 to 2015, Hackett played for the Milan-based team.
Moreover, this is not the first time the Virtus captain has found himself at the center of disciplinary incidents during stoppages in play. Just a few months ago, in the Serie A playoffs against Reyer Venezia, Hackett was suspended for two games following a head-to-head collision with Leonardo Candi in Game 3 of the semifinals. The Sports Court of Appeals later reduced the suspension to a single game, commuting it to a fine and allowing him to take the court as early as Game 4. This is a precedent that Milanese fans have been quick to point out on social media in recent hours.
On the court, the game ended 87–85 in favor of Olimpia, with Devon Hall sinking the game-winning shot at the buzzer. Olimpia coach Peppe Poeta had high praise for his player: “I’ve been saying this since day one: he’s the kind of player every coach would want. He always has the right body language, plays three positions, and is a positive leader. We deliberately went to him. We’re very happy.” Mathews, who found himself unwittingly at the center of the incident with Hackett, arrived in Milan this summer as Armoni Brooks’ successor, following an NBA career with the Pacers.
On the other side, Alex Mumbrù commented on the loss without hiding his bewilderment over an incident in the closing moments: “I can’t understand how, at this level—in the EuroLeague—in the final minute of an important game, someone can blow the whistle and everyone stops. Milan hit a crucial three-pointer, and everyone had stopped. I don’t understand how that’s possible.” The Spanish coach was careful to point out, however, that this wasn’t the decisive factor in the loss: “We didn’t lose because of that—that’s clear. Congratulations to Milan.”
