A sensation at Cibali? Not at all—it was a sensation in Salerno, where the University of Bologna, European champion for the past two years—last season right in the shadow of the Two Towers—suffered a loss in its season opener in women’s basketball against the University of Freiburg. The final score was 87–66 (20–18; 43–31; 60–47)—a one-sided affair, except for the first quarter.
Unibo immediately found itself with its back against the wall because, in a three-team group, there aren’t many other options ahead of tomorrow’s 11 a.m. game against Zagreb. A win is needed—and by a significant margin.
Jordan Losi, coach of the Alma Mater—a bronze and two gold medals to his credit—isn’t making a big deal out of it, isn’t hiding, and is looking ahead. “It’s hard to comment on a loss like this,” says Jordan Losi. “For us, it’s a completely new experience. Huge congratulations to Freiburg, who put us in a tough spot and played a solid game, spurred on by their previous loss. We, on the other hand, held our own only in the first quarter. After that, we couldn’t find a way to counter their solidity and simplicity. We tried to turn the game around with a few plays, but we didn’t succeed. It’s a tough loss that forces us to win by at least 15 points to advance and stay in the top eight. It’s a tough result, but nothing is decided yet. It’s a setback, certainly, but we know we can bounce back.”
The roster: Sofia Tartarini, Alice Malintoppi 2, Elena Cavalli, Amina Zarfaoui 4, Silvia Bernabè, Beatrice Del Pero 11, Alessandra Orsili 17, Martina Rosignoli, Agnese Gianangeli 6, Beatrice Baldi 7, Elena Melloni 17, Serena Soglia 2.
Jordan Losi, head coach; Elisabetta Tassinari, assistant coach; Giacomo Bavieri, team manager; Carlo Sartorio, physical therapist; Matteo Roiaz, referee; Matteo Galli, official.
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