On Danilovic’s night Partizan freezes Virtus

Virtus falls at the Segafredo Arena, defeated by Partizan with 1,500 fans in tow. It ends 79-88 and Vu can recriminate for a bad start to the last quarter, which started at 63-65, without scoring for 5′ except from the line with Ojeleye, while the Serbs smelled the opportunity and found shots from Nunnally and Mader to run away and never be caught again. Without Shenghelia affected by chickenpox, Vu resisted for three quarters, also finding a plus 8 in the first half and 63 all at the end of the third quarter. More team, more physical, Belgrade deservedly passed in front of a willing Vu who didn’t have Belinelli, 0/5 shooting, and Teodosic 11 points and 12 assists too much just to break it. It’s not a farewell to the playoffs but we’re close.

Before the race thrills and choruses from both corners for Saha Danilovic who was given by Massimo Zanetti, owner of Segafredo, the number 5 shirt, the undershirt that the company collected as a tribute to the Serbian champion, the man of the four-point shooting and four league titles and a Euroleague.

There were immediately fireworks with a triple from Milos and a reply from the former Punter for an immediately fireworks match with Partizan with good aim who tried to escape, 7-13 after 4′. From an unsportsmanlike Vu gained 5 points with Hackett and didn’t lose the slipstream even if Partizan tried another knockout, taking advantage of a dominant Lessor. It took a Pajola of struggle and governance to lead and score the points who, as soon as the second quarter began, overtook Vu, 29-28. Segafredo Arena in flames and after a masterful assist from Milos for Jaiteh, it was +7, propitiated by an outburst from Abass 7 points in a row caught with the complicity of the magician Milos. But, with Partizan’s Moors reappearing on the field, with Leday and Nunnally, Belgrade came back to 47-45 in the first half with an open face.

The second half was bad for Vu who cashed in a 0-7 but grit his teeth defending better and with two free throws from Mickey he reopened the match, 61 equal to 2′ 23” and then the lead 63-61 for a challenge that took the long sprint route. With 10” to play Belgrade had 2 points to defend.

After a turnover in attack, captain Beli made way for Teodosic with Partizan ahead by 4 and an unstoppable Nunnally.

Vu stingy in attack, only 2 free throws from Ojeley, Milos tried to shake his team but in the meantime the Serbs reached 70-79. With 4 points for a breath of life from Ojeleye and Jaiteh at 3’12”, Vu forced at the time out Obradovic on 74-79. But again Nunnally pushed it back, 76-84. Triple by Abass but Partizan had the match in their hands. And there he stayed. Semi Ojeleye suffered an abdominal injury in the finale, for which there is fear of a tear. Future visits will clarify the situation.

Virtus goes to Berlin on Thursday: against Alba we need the blitz to keep hoping.

Virtus-Partizan 79-88

Virtus: Hackett 5, Teodosic 11, Ojeleye 13, Mickey 13, Jaiteh 14, Pajola 9, Mannion, Belinelli, Weems, Abass 10, Bako 4.

Partizan: Madar 11, Punter 17, Nunnally 16, Leday 10, Smailagic 9, Exum 17, Papapetrou 3, Lessor 5, Avramovic, Andjusic, Trifunovic.

Referees: Hierrezuelo, Bissang, Cici.

Notes: free: V 17/22, P 12/15. From two: V 19/30, P 29/47. From three: W 8/20, P 6/18. Rebounds: W 26, L 29. Assists: W 23, L 15.

Splits: 5′ 12-15, 10′ 26-28, 15′ 35-34, 20′ 47-45, 25′ 54-56, 30′ 63-65, 35′ 65-75. Maximum advantage V: +8 (44-36) in the 18th minute. Maximum disadvantage: -10 (67-77) in the 36th minute.