Derthona plays a great match, leads for large stretches, but in the end Virtus prevails
Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Bertram Derthona 77-73
(21-16, 35-38, 51-55)
Scoreboards:
Bologna: Tessitori 2, Cordinier 4, Mannion ne, Belinelli 25, Pajola 2, Hervey, Ruzzier ne, Jaiteh 13, Shenegelia 11, Hackett, 3 Weems 7, Teodosic 10. Coach Scariolo
Derthona: Mortellaro ne, Wright 6, Cannon 9, Tavernelli ne, Filloy 9, Mascolo 5, Cattapan ne, Severini 9, Sanders 16, Daum 7, Cain, Macura 12. Coach Ramondino
Bertram Derthona leaves the Segafredo Arena defeated, but amidst the applause of its fans, at the end of a match played excellently and conducted in terms of rhythm and scoring for large stretches. Belinelli's plays made the difference in the last minutes, giving Virtus the 1-0 in the series.
The start of the match was favorable to Virtus, who tried to extend their lead from the first minutes. As the action progressed, however, Bertram grew on both sides of the pitch and closed the gap to 21-16 in the 10th minute. In the second half Derthona crowned their pursuit by putting themselves ahead with Daum's free throws (24-25), before Virtus' partial counter which earned them a lead at 32-28. A great triple from Macura closes a very balanced first half, which the team coached by Ramondino leads 35-38.
Upon returning, Bertram is a concentration of energy and clarity, finds good offensive solutions and withstands the impact of Virtus in defense: the Bianconeri always maintain the advantage and close the lead 51-55 at the third siren. In the final period Bologna made a great effort to try to close the gap, but Derthona responded blow for blow and entered the last five minutes ahead 63-67. In the final stages it is Belinelli who drags Virtus, until they overtake at 75-73 in the 39th minute: in the final Bertram has the opportunity to equalize the match several times. The last one, with Severini's triple, goes in and out: game 1 belongs to Bologna, who prevails 77-73.
Thus coach Marco Ramondino at the end of the race: “Congratulations to Virtus Bologna for this victory in a tough and hard-fought match, in which there were many important plays. For our part it was an excellent match, in defense we did some excellent things trying to correct the mistakes made, while in attack - apart from the first few minutes - we adapted to their physicality, we had good spacing. We have to do better, earn more fouls because we can't win away if our opponents don't reach the bonus in the last quarter. In my opinion there were small things that didn't allow us to win, we need to be more cynical in some moments of the race. When you have to raise your level it's not just making great plays, but limiting mistakes, being disciplined and improving in the details that make the difference. We are in the playoff semi-finals, to play at this level it is important to have a contribution from everyone and I also believe that the awareness of being able to have an impact on the match which does not have to be on a particular aspect, as there are many ways to make a contribution. Another important thing is how we constructed the equalizing shot, moving the ball and making a free player shoot.".
