By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
TURIN, Italy – The two Queens of Italian basketball hadn’t met each other in the Italian Cup since 2019, and everybody was expecting them to finally clash in the decisive matchup of this year’s Final Eight. Instead, the derby happened in the Quarter-Finals.
Already establishing a certain superiority before the end of the first half, being up by 14 points (47-33) going into the locker rooms, Ettore Messina’s team found the 91-77 win at the final buzzer.
Like at the beginning of the season in the Italian Supercup, Nenad Dimitrijevic helped the red-and-white team establish its rhythm early. The North Macedonian guard concluded with 14 points. Shavon Shields’ impact on this team’s win increased as time passed, and he finished with 19 points.
Zach LeDay’s 8-point run was crucial entering the third, as No.16 finished with 16 points and 7 boards. On Bologna’s side, Toko Shengelia had 12 points and 8 rebounds, while Momo Diouf scored 20 points.
This was Milano‘s third victory this season against the black-and-white side from Bologna, already beating their rivals in the Italian Supercup and in the EuroLeague.
Right after Luca Banchi’s departure from Virtus’ bench, Bologna found their only win against the rivals in the LBA.
Brescia eliminated Derthona to start the day
Earlier in the day, Germani Brescia and Bertram Derthona Tortona went up against each other for the very first time in the history of the Italian Cup. Brescia eventually found the 86-79 win.
The 2023 Italian Cup champions were able to create separation with a 20-2 run between the first and second quarters in the first Quarter-Finals played in Turin’s Inalpi Arena, especially with the contribution of captain Amedeo Della Valle (20 points). However, Derthona entered the fourth at 62-62.
The battle’s remaining minutes saw Peppe Poeta’s team prevailing. Nikola Ivanovic’s (20 points) clutch three and Jason Burnell’s (17 points) block took down Christian Vital (17 points) and teammates.
LBA Final Eight 2025
Quarter-Finals
- Germani Brescia – Bertram Derthona Tortona 86-79
- Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 77-91
- Dolomiti Energia Trentino – UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia (13/02 at 18:00 CET)
- Trapani Shark – Pallacanestro Trieste (13/02 at 20:45 CET)
Semi-Finals
- Germani Brescia – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (15/02 at 18:00 CET)
- Winner QF3 – Winner QF4 (15/02 at 20:45 CET)
Final
Winner SF1 – Winner SF2 (12/02 at 17:15 CET)
PHOTO CREDIT: EA7 Emporio Armani Milano