Bologna 11 May 2022 – Mission accomplished for Virtus Bologna which, in front of a crowded Segafredo Arena in every order of place, defeats Bursaspor 80-67 and wins the first Eurocup of its history but above all the coveted pass to play the next edition of the Euroleague. The bianconeri were the protagonists of a test of overwhelming authority, the daughter above all of a great defensive intensity that immediately sent Andrews and partly Hayes out of the game, but who above all gave confidence to the bianconero attack, dragged by a sumptuous Milos Teodosic, MVP of the evening and author of 21 points (his key plays), greeted at the end of the match by the standing ovation of the Segafredo Arena. Among the Bolognese, who sent five men in double digits, also capitalized the evidence of the MVP of the event, Mam Jaiteh (13 points and 10 rebounds) and di Kyle Weems. Bursaspor, despite Andrews’ evening to forget, nevertheless tried with courage to never let go by clinging to the gusts of Holland, Bitim and Dudzinski which, however, were not enough to undermine the excessive physical power and intensity of the “Vu Black”.
Virtus Bologna wins the EuroCup, the photos
The race
Bursaspor tries to keep Virtus ‘decisive starting pace but after less than 3′ the first alarm bells are already ringing because it has to deal with a spent foul bonus and a Hayes with two personnel on his back. Virtus on the other hand tries to take advantage of it and, thanks to Teodosic and Weems’ first triple, places the first mini-extension of the evening (14-7). The Juventus defensive pressure is suffocating and does not grant the area to the guests who then try to stay afloat with Omer Al’s triple and Andrews’ free throws (18-12), but 48 “from the siren comes the first double-digit advantage of the bianconeri, sealed by Belinelli who then also puts the exclamation point on the fourth with the triple of 25-12. Holland tries to shake him from the arc but Virtus is now confident and responds with a further 5-0 which is worth 29-15 and forces Alimpijevic to spend another timeout. The bianconeri dominate physically and in intensity, charge their opponents with fouls and do not break down even with Jaiteh’s third staff, returning to the locker room at mid-match at 41-31 with a few flashes of Holland who keeps the host flame alive.
Upon returning to the court, the Turks seem to have a different attitude and rely on Hayes to reduce the gap to a single figure 44-35. Too little, however, to worry Virtus who responds with Teodosic and Shengelia for 50-35 which makes her breathe deeply again. When for Scariolo’s men the game seems to have gone downhill again comes a further and more decisive roar of pride from Bursaspor: a 0-8 partial that is worth -7 (50-43). It is once again that the Turkish ambitions for a comeback are extinguished in the bud Teodosic who in time of need loads the Virtus on his shoulders and with two torpedoes from 6.75 meters makes the Bursaspor plunge back to -15 (58-43). The return to the bench of the Serbian ace, however, complicates the plans of Virtus a bit who with 10 ‘from the end finds himself with only nine points of advantage (62-53). Despite the difficulty, the Turks regain some confidence, do not let go and at the dawn of the fourth quarter they narrow the gap further up to -5 of Bitim, which forces Scariolo to take refuge in a timeot. Minute of suspension from which the bianconeri come out with precious rebounds captured and the points of Hervey, Jaiteh and Shengelia for the 70-60 with 6 ‘from the end. Prelude to the final push that arrives in the final 3 ‘when Jaiteh takes the chair and allows Virtus to stretch her hands on the cup.