Final Eight Coppa Italia, Trento reaches Milan in final
Final Eight Coppa Italia, Trento reaches Milan in final
For the first time in its history, Dolomiti Energia Trentino reached the Final Eight of the Italian Cup Final Eight, overcoming Trieste 82-79 in a challenge fought until the’last possession. Once again, the bianconeri showed character and resilience: with three minutes to go, Trento was down by six points, but with heart and determination it turned the score around, giving fans another night to remember. The’last act of Final Eight 2025 will be played tomorrow at 5:15 p.m., with the Bianconeri ready to challenge Olimpia Milano for the title. Once again, the evening’s MVP è Quinn Ellis, starring in a total performance with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Trento’s top scorer è Anthony Lamb, author of 18 points, followed by 10 points from Niang, Pecchia and Cale. For Trieste, Michele Ruzzier’s 25 points, Markel Brown’s 21 and Denzel Valentine’s 19 were not enough.
THE STORY – Dolomiti Energia Trentino starts with: Ellis, Cale, Pecchia, Lamb and Mawugbe while Trieste responds with: Ruzzier, Valentine, Brown, Uthoff and Johnson.
Mawugbe opens the match with an excellent roll to the basket and shortly afterwards retaliates with a reverse. Trieste gets unblocked with Brown, but Pecchia immediately responds with a triple for a 7-2 lead and, on an assist from Mawugbe, scores two more points forcing coach Christian to timeout. Trieste reacts with Brown and Valentine, while Ruzzier shortens to -2. Zukauskas dunks two-handed over the iron, Valentine responds in support, but again Zukauskas signs another basket. Brown makes 2/2 at the free, then Lamb scores by getting fouled and converts the additional free for 18-13. In the finale, Cale lights up and posts a 5-0 partial, allowing Dolomiti Energia Trentino to end the first quarter ahead 23-13.
Lamb scores the first basket of the second quarter with an elegant fadeaway, followed by a basket by Johnson. Lamb again takes advantage of a mismatch to score two points and shortly after, with a eurostep, signs the 29-15, forcing coach Christian to timeout. Trieste tries to respond with Denzel Valentine, who backs up two points, and Markel Brown, author of a big triple. Trento però immediately answers with Pecchia, who scores by getting fouled and converts the additional free for 34-20. Brown and Valentine sign a 5-0 partial, prompting coach Galbiati to stop the game with a timeout. On the return, Valentine strikes again from the’arc, Ellis retaliates with a rebound, but Brown continues to be a factor in penetration. In the finale, Michele Ruzzier’s triple further reduces the gap and sends the teams into the locker room with Trento ahead 38-33 at’halftime.
Mawugbe opens the second half with the first two points of the restart, but Ruzzier immediately answers with a triple. Valentine scores from two, but Lamb is not intimidated and makes a triple from the corner on a fly-by. Trieste continues to push with Ruzzier and Valentine signing the tie at 45, before Uthoff completes the overtake. Trento reacts with a triple by Ford, but again Valentine hits from the’arc. Uthoff scores again and brings Trieste to +6, forcing coach Galbiati to timeout. Trento returns to the court with determination: Zukauskas shortens with a triple, then Cale and Ford complete the recovery, putting the Bianconeri back ahead. The third quarter ends with Dolomiti Energia Trentino leading 59-58.
Candussi opens the’last quarter with a triple, while McDermott brings Trieste back ahead. Trento reacted with Ellis, who first scored on penetration and then, with a great assist, put the Bianconeri back ahead. Ruzzier, once again lethal from the arc, signs the new overtake, followed by Brown, who brings Trieste to +4. Ellis answers with a two-point basket, but Ruzzier strikes again, this time with a three-point play, bringing the Giulians to +5. In the most difficult moment, Trento finds the strength to fight back: Niang and Cale lead the comeback and put the bianconeri ahead 80-77 with 37 seconds left. Trieste tries the last assault with Brown, who finds a tap-in dunk, but in the final Trento’s free throws secure the 82-79 victory, giving the Bianconeri their first historic Italian Cup final!”
DOLOMITI ENERGIA TRENTINO-PALLACANESTRO TRIESTE 82-79 (23-13, 38-33; 59-58)
Dolomiti Energia Trento: Ellis 11, Cale 10, Ford 7, Pecchia 10, Niang 10, Forray, Mawugbe 8, Lamb 18, Zukauskas 8, Hassan N.E. Coach Galbiati.
Trieste Basketball: Obljubech N.E, Reyes, Deangeli, Uthoff 7, Ruzzier 25, Campogrande N.E, Candussi 3, Brown 21, Brooks, McDermott 2, Johnson 2, Valentine 19. Coach Christian.
