IBSA Next Gen Cup: Allianz Derthona Tortona loses on opening day of second stage
Allianz Derthona – Vanoli Cremona 90-104
(25-21, 44-46, 66-68)
Tortona: Fogliato 13, Solazzi 5, Bottelli 24, Obakhavbaye 2, Gilli, Di Meone, Bresciani 4, Borasi 3, Pisati 4, Coulibaly one, Nistrio 5, Josovic 30. Coach Talpo, Assistant Fanaletti, Lombardi
Cremona: Venturini none, Trinchieri, Boschiroli 8, Valenti 9, Krilkovs 16, Zani 2, Lekre, De Gregori 17, Zanchetta 14, Zanotti 3, Spagnoli none, Kuzmanic 35. Coach Baltieri
The second leg of the IBSA Next Gen Cup in Romagna opened with a defeat for Allianz Derthona Tortona. The Lions, without Coulibaly, Di Meo, and Bellinaso, fought evenly with Vanoli Cremona for three quarters of the game, but a decisive final-quarter run condemned the Bianconeri.
The match began with intense intensity. Cremona put pressure on Tortona from the outset, forcing the Piedmontese team to chase. The response was quick: an 8-0 run allowed Allianz to close the first quarter with a 25-21 lead.
In the second period, however, Tortona struggled to find offensive consistency and suffered a comeback from their opponents, who overturned the score to a five-point lead. Josovic, a key figure in this match after his excellent performance in Verona, led the Bianconeri attack (18 points at halftime), allowing the Lions to stay in contact. At halftime, Cremona led by a narrow margin, 46-44, after a tight first half.
Back from the locker rooms, the script remained unchanged: the two teams engaged in a head-to-head exchange of blows. Cremona made the first significant breakthrough, reaching a double-digit lead and attempting to take control of the game. Coach Talpo's team responded immediately: a 9-0 run brought Tortona back to within one possession, with the fourth quarter opening with the Lombardy team leading 68-66.
In the final set, however, Cremona further increased their offensive pace, led by an inspired Kuzmanic, the match's top scorer, who scored the decisive break. The performances of Josovic (30 points) and Bottelli (24 points) weren't enough to close the gap: Allianz Derthona failed to close the gap and ended the match with a defeat, thus starting the second stage of the Next Gen Cup.
Tomorrow the second match of the Romagna stage at 16 pm against Pallacanestro Varese in Santarcangelo di Romagna
