In a disappointing display of resilience, Virtus Bologna fell to Maccabi Tel Aviv, 77-67, in the Euroleague match held on March 20, 2025, at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade. This marks Virtus's eighth consecutive defeat, underscoring their continued struggles this season.
The game started on a promising note for Virtus Bologna, who took an early lead courtesy of a three-pointer from Cordinier and four points from Zizic, establishing a 12-2 advantage. However, Maccabi fought back to narrow the lead by the end of the first quarter, trailing just 15-17.
Maccabi Tel Aviv entered the game with a record of nine wins and twenty losses, compared to Virtus's seven wins and twenty-two losses. Both teams were already out of playoff contention, making this matchup more about pride than any competitive aspiration. The game was further complicated for Virtus by the absence of Momo Diouf due to a right knee injury, while Will Clyburn made a long-awaited return after two and a half months out due to a partial fasciitis injury.
Clyburn had a notable presence during the match, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds despite shooting poorly (5/18). His return raised hopes among fans and teammates alike, but it was not enough to change the game’s outcome. Virtus’s top scorer, Polonara, contributed 15 points to the effort as well.
As the match progressed, Maccabi found their rhythm and utilized effective plays, leading to an explosive second quarter where they turned the tide. Jokubaitis and Clark contributed significantly to Maccabi’s offense, with Jokubaitis leading the charts for his team, scoring 19 points, while Clark added 14. This dynamic duo was essential in Maccabi's second-quarter comeback, assisting the team to a halftime lead of 42-33.
The trend continued into the second half, where Maccabi opened up the quarter with a swift 7-0 run, pushing the score to 49-33. Virtus struggled to respond, failing to capitalize on their offensive opportunities. They shot poorly throughout the game, finishing with a dismal record of 6 out of 33 from beyond the arc, a mere 18.2% success rate.
By the end of the third quarter, Maccabi had established a daunting lead of 65-45. Virtus attempted to rally in the final quarter, narrowing the deficit to as little as 12 points, but it was too late for a dramatic comeback. The game concluded with the same 10-point margin, solidifying Maccabi's confidence and extending Virtus's losing streak.
Coach Dusko Ivanovic acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, emphasizing the need for improvement and efficiency in upcoming games. With this loss, Virtus’s record stands at 7-23, leaving them penultimate in the Euroleague standings while Maccabi improves to 10-20, closing in on the fifth place.
This disappointing result leaves Virtus Bologna with much to ponder ahead of their next clash against Stella Rossa on March 26, 2025. Fans will hope that Clyburn's return serves as a catalyst for their team to turn their fortunes around, as they will need to find their competitive spirit to avoid further defeats.
With the current season dwindling, every match holds critical value for both teams. Maccabi, celebrating their fourth consecutive victory, will seek to build on this success as they continue to navigate the final stretch of the Euroleague season.
Final Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 77, Virtus Bologna 67
Stats Summary:
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Clark 14, Jokubaitis 19, Williams 10 & 10 rebounds, Sorkin 12
Virtus Bologna: Polonara 15, Clyburn 13, Zizic 11 & 12 rebounds.
