DERTHONA “WINTER CHAMPION”
We couldn't have hoped for a better Christmas for the Bianconeri who under the tree found their ninth consecutive victory (tenth of the season) against Livorno and the title of "Winter Champion" a day early, thanks to the favorable direct clash against Fortitudo Bologna . The coveted goal qualifies the Bianconeri for the play-offs for participation in the Italian Cup finals: Derthona will have to deal with Orzinuovi, second place in Group B, to gain access to the Final Four scheduled in Rimini from 7 to 9 March .
Against Livorno, Arioli's boys take off in the first quarter and then, relaxing a little too much during the match, they make a comeback in the final taking a big risk but, also thanks to a bit of luck, in the end they end the match in their favor . In the first quarter Derthona got off to a great start from the Venuto-Rotondo axis but the guests, despite lacking the Benvenuti pivot and with Sanguinetti returning after a long injury, resisted thanks to Vallini.
With Cernivani putting in two bombs and the inspiration of Viglianisi, the Tortonesi extended towards the end of the half up to the maximum advantage of +19 with which the quarter ended 34-15 amidst the applause of the PalaCamagna. The progress of the dispute is different in the central phase of the match with the guests reacting by putting the locals in difficulty with their zonal defence. Derthona forgets the fluidity of the initial game and relies on sporadic single conclusions. In the second quarter the baskets were scarce on both sides and another bomb from Cernivani gave our team oxygen. At halftime the score was +15 (42-27) but the pace continued to drop even in the third quarter, which ended tied (18-18), only thanks to a rediscovered Samoggia (30 points and 8 rebounds at the end).
The relaxation of Venuto & co. culminates in the last half: little by little the Tuscans (led by the Gigena-Lemmi duo) get closer until -3 in the 7th minute at 73-70. A providential hook from Rotondo (19 points and 8 rebounds at the end) and an invention from Vitali repel the guest's attack, then, thanks to some defensive blunders, Livorno tries a couple more shots which go around the rim and finally the Juventus fans they can uncork the sparkling wine on the mermaid's 80-72.
