The Segafredo Virtus Bologna pulled off an exciting victory against the EA7 Emporio Armani Olimpia Milano, triumphing with a score of 86-80 at the Segafredo Arena on March 2, 2025. The match was highly anticipated as it marked the latest edition of the historic rivalry between these two Italian basketball powerhouses, and it lived up to expectations for both teams and fans alike.
With the starting tip-off at 18:15, the match began energetically, with the visiting squad from Milano making the first significant impact. Led by standout Nikola Mirotic, who scored two early three-pointers, Olimpia surged to an 8-1 lead. Yet, the Virtus was quick to retaliate, with Marco Belinelli and Daniel Hackett helping their team catch up, highlighting how close and competitive the teams are right from the outset.
At the end of the first quarter, the score stood at 20-25, favoring Milano. Pero, the second quarter proved to be pivotal for Bologna. After some rocky moments, including defensive lapses, the Virtus managed to turn the tide. A marked improvement was noted as Bologna stifled Milano's offensive rhythm, which only allowed Olimpia to score just nine points during the quarter. This defensive effort and timely baskets from Matt Morgan and other players allowed Virtus to take the lead at halftime, finishing the first half at 38-34.
Coming out of the break, Bologna continued its momentum, scoring early and extending their lead. Marco Belinelli demonstrated stellar play, racking up 19 points and 7 rebounds, becoming instrumental for his team during the second half. Bologna’s notable offense combined with their pressing defense maintained their dominance, pushing the score up to 63-59 as they ended the third quarter with the upper hand. Despite several attempts by Milano to keep pace, including contributions from Mirotic, who finished the game with 22 points, Bologna proved resilient.
Entering the final quarter with things tightly contested, the Virtus took control with spirited plays. An impressive series of back-to-back three-pointers from Morgan solidified Bologna's control, allowing them to take their lead to +10 late in the game. The fans at the Segafredo Arena, packed to capacity, surged with energy as their team started inching closer to victory.
Despite the best efforts of Milano, who had their moments generously supported by Mirotic and others, they fell short due to inconsistent performances and poor shooting from beyond the arc. Bologna’s defense proved too tough to crack down the stretch, forcing Milano to take challenging shots and contributing to their loss, bringing their winning streak to a halt.
With the final whistle signaling victory for the Virtus at 86-80, this match marked Bologna's return to winning ways following two consecutive losses, clearly establishing their place back at the top of the LBA standings.
“This win is significant for us,” Belinelli stated after the game. “We had to regroup after two tough games, and we showed great character today.” Coach Dusko Ivanovic echoed this sentiment, appreciating the team’s effort throughout the match. “The defense, particularly during the second quarter, was our game-changer. It energized our offense and allowed us to push through.”
Conversely, for Olimpia Milano, this game highlighted some lapses and areas needing improvement—particularly their offensive production, which they will undoubtedly need to address to return to their winning ways soon.
With this latest victory, Bologna not only takes pride over their rivals but also positions itself strongly for their next match against Dolomiti Energia Trentino, set for March 10, 2025, continuing their campaign for another successful season.