After a triumphant start against Real Madrid, Virtus Bologna found themselves on the wrong side of a high-scoring affair, as Valencia Basket celebrated the grand opening of their new Roig Arena with a resounding 103-94 victory.
Matt Morgan, 27, led Virtus Bologna with 24 points against Valencia.
The air in Valencia was electric. The newly inaugurated Roig Arena, a gleaming beacon of basketball ambition named after patron Juan Roig, was ready for its close-up. For Valencia Basket, it was an occasion to remember; for Virtus Bologna, it quickly became a night to forget, marking their first loss in the Euroleague season after an impressive opening victory over European giants Real Madrid.
A Rollercoaster of Chasing and Catching Up
The final score of 103-94 doesn`t quite tell the full story of Virtus`s tenacious spirit. Time and again, Coach Dusko Ivanovic`s squad found themselves trailing, only to mount spirited comebacks that briefly threatened to derail Valencia`s celebratory evening. The home side, however, maintained an unrelenting pace, exhibiting remarkable efficiency from two-point range, converting a blistering 67% of their attempts.
Virtus initially matched Valencia`s intensity, with contributions from players like Edwards (15 points). However, the end of the first quarter hinted at the challenges to come, with Valencia establishing a slim lead. The second period saw Bologna stumble dramatically, highlighted by a costly 8-second violation by Taylor. This misstep fueled a 12-point run for Valencia, pushing them to a daunting 37-25 advantage. Yet, fueled by Matt Morgan`s offensive prowess – he would finish as Virtus`s top scorer with 24 points – Bologna managed to narrow the gap to a manageable 49-46 by halftime, proving their resilience.
Defensive Warnings and Rising Stars
Coach Ivanovic had, presciently, emphasized the importance of defensive solidity in his pre-game remarks. Unfortunately for Virtus, those warnings seemed to echo faintly in the expansive new arena. Marking Valencia`s burgeoning talent, particularly the impressive 19-year-old **De Larrea**, proved a monumental task. The young forward, just shy of his 20th birthday in December, was a revelation, pouring in 23 points, including a highly efficient 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. His performance was a masterclass in youthful confidence, leading Valencia to a perfect double-round week.
Adding to Virtus`s woes was Italian sharp-shooter Darius Thompson, who proved a thorn in their side in the second half, contributing 13 points with a crisp 3-of-4 from downtown. The collective offensive onslaught from Valencia, combined with Virtus`s struggles on the glass – conceding a significant 40-27 rebounding deficit, including 15 offensive boards – painted a clear picture of where the game was won and lost.
“The Roig Arena`s debut was a stark reminder that in the Euroleague, every possession, and indeed every rebound, tells a story.”
The Perpetual Chase
The pattern of the second quarter unfortunately repeated itself after the interval. Just as Virtus attempted to find a rhythm, Thompson ignited Valencia with a flurry of three-pointers, orchestrating an 11-0 run that once again established a commanding 60-48 lead for the hosts. While Valencia occasionally offered a glimmer of hope through their own momentary lapses, De Larrea consistently seized the initiative, keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Virtus, even with strong contributions from players like Diarra, could only momentarily trim the deficit, reaching 66-63 before Valencia pulled away decisively in the final quarter, sealing their 103-94 victory.
The loss, while disappointing, provides crucial early-season lessons for Virtus Bologna. Their ability to fight back consistently is commendable, but the defensive vulnerabilities and rebounding struggles against a high-octane offense like Valencia`s will undoubtedly be a focus for improvement. The Euroleague is a marathon, not a sprint, and for Virtus, the journey continues with a domestic league fixture against Napoli, where they`ll aim to regain their winning momentum.
