Very important victory, but we were lucky, Ivanovic said at the end of the match. At the Virtus yesterday there was definitely no lack of luck. In fact, in the last quarter it seemed like one of the “usual” Euroleague matches this season, in which the Bianconeri play well and always stay in the game, but in the end they lose. But not this time, thanks to Will Clyburn’s fantastic four-point shot, and also thanks to the opponents, who missed no fewer than four free throws in the last two minutes. And so, from -5 to 46 seconds from the end came a victory that was as unexpected as it was deserved, given that Segafredo never gave up.
That said, the hand of Ivanovich we are already starting to see it in some things. The main one is that it is played at a slower pace. Everyone seems involved in defense, even Clyburn – who completely changed his attitude after the final shot – and Tucker who had space yesterday given Belinelli’s absence. Furthermore, in the hierarchies of the big men Grazulis – decidedly positive – seems to have taken Polonara’s place. Once again we often play without role centers, which yesterday created some rebounding problems.
It’s obviously early for any kind of conclusion, but the victory of Vitoria it is of capital importance, not only for the standings but for morale, and for having given the team the awareness that even in the Euroleague it is possible to win. Next week – after the home match against Trieste in the championship – another terrible double round is expected, which will close the first round: Olympiacos away and Barcelona at home.
