European Prospects

Virtus Bologna achieved his back to back dream after the win in the final against Reyer Venezia. Montepaschi Siena reached the third spot on the podium beating Stella Azzurra Roma in the 3^rd/4^th place final.

Unipol Banca Virtus Bologna – Umana Reyer Venezia 77-61

Virtus Bologna made the definitive break in the last quarter (after 1994 Venice big man Francesco Candussi had to leave the game after twisting his knee), but, even if Venice had several chances to tie or take the lead, the match seemed to be always under control for the “Vu Nere”.

1995 Czech big man Adam Pechacek scored 19 points showing his low post moves, while 1994 forward Aristide Landi had 17 points opening Venice’s defense with his shot. 1994 point guard Matteo Imbrò had 11 points but lost some balls that made most of people think that he feels more comfortable in Italian Serie A than in this under 19 championship. 1995 forward Simone Fontecchio scored 7 of his 9 points in the final break that gave Bologna the victory. The biggest surprise of the day were the 15 points of 1994 guard Gherardo Sabatini, who also showed a good ball handling and the ability to create of the dribble together with a nice first step.

Venice paid the bad day of 1995 forward Giovanni Vildera who, as he said after the game, played the worst match of his season and finished with 3 points and 1/10 from the field. 1994 forward Francesco Candussi left the game just after the half of third quarter due to his injury. He was playing a good game until that moment, showing his ability to play near the basket and away from the rim. 1994 big man Vincenzo Pipitone had his usual solid game with 7 points and a big presence in the paint, but he has to be more decisive and take more initiatives. 1995 point guard Giulio Zennaro scored 15 points burying threes, attacking the basket and serving good balls to his team mates, but his effort hasn’t been enough together with the 13 points with 6/11 from the field by 1995 forward Nicola Akele.

Stella Azzurra – Montepaschi Siena 48-76

There isn’t much to say about the final for 3^rd and 4^th position, where Siena easily won against Stella Azzurra Roma. Rome seemed to be mentally destroyed after the battle of day day before against Venice, so Siena took an early 22-4 lead and got her bronze medal.