Olympiacos Dominates Virtus Bologna with 92-70 Victory
Olympiacos showed their strength and skill against Virtus Bologna, securing a decisive 92-70 victory, marking Bologna's fifth consecutive loss this EuroLeague season.
On February 28, 2025, at the Segafredo Arena, Bologna faced off against the EuroLeague leaders, Olympiacos, but the result was never really in doubt. Despite the efforts from Bologna, particularly with contributions from Cordinier, who scored 15 points, the Greek team quickly established dominance, leading by as much as 29 points at one point during the game.
The first quarter told the story of the match, with Olympiacos racing out to a 34-14 lead, thanks to rapid counter-attacks and easy baskets. Bologna's defense struggled to keep up with Olympiacos's quick pace, allowing players like Papanikolaou and Milutinov to score with little resistance.
By halftime, the scoreboard read 54-29, as Olympiacos continued to pile on the points. The second quarter saw them expand their lead significantly, at one point making it 51-24. Bologna, lacking key players like Shengelia and Polonara, failed to maintain any rhythm or firing offensive power.
The second half started with Bologna showing slight improvement, spurred on by Cordinier and Akele. They showed some fight, reducing the deficit to 68-54 by the end of the third quarter, which they won 25-14. But it wasn't enough to give them the momentum. Gaps in defense reopened as Olympiacos countered quickly and seized control of the game once again.
Throughout, Olympiacos displayed remarkable cohesion, recording 26 assists throughout the match, reflecting their team-oriented play and passing strategy. They had six players reaching double figures, with Fournier, Fall, Milutinov, Peters, and Vezenkov all scoring 12 points each, and Papanikolaou contributing 11.
Despite Bologna's tenacity, they couldn’t withstand the late game pressure, culminating in another disappointing loss, dropping their EuroLeague record to 7-20. Coach Ivanovic’s team now shifts focus to their upcoming Serie A matches, with hopes of recalibrations necessary for playoff preparations.
After the match, there were mixed feelings among the players and coaching staff, especially considering the energy they displayed post-halftime. Cordinier, noted for his effort, felt dejected about the outcome: "We fought hard, but we need to find consistency throughout the game. It’s frustrating to only show up for one half." Coach Ivanovic echoed this sentiment as he emphasized the importance of learning from the defeat.
Looking forward, Virtus Bologna will face the challenge of playing against Milan on March 7, 2025, seeking redemption and perhaps establishing their momentum back as they strive to improve their league standing. Meanwhile, Olympiacos will continue to stride confidently atop the EuroLeague standings, showing little sign of slowing down.
For now, the attention remains on both teams’ ability to adapt and refocus, with Bologna needing to step up their performance dramatically to avoid falling behind as playoff scenarios develop. The match against Milan could serve as the perfect opportunity for Bologna to bounce back, but it will require strategic adjustments and solid execution moving forward.
Overall, the game highlighted the stark gap between the two sides, showing Olympiacos's clearly superior ability, stronger team cohesion, and tactical execution, all of which made for a comfortable victory.