The University of Bologna are back in the final, just like a year ago. Matteo Lolli’s team, competing in the EUSA European University Championships in Salerno, will face the University of Zagreb tomorrow at 6.30 pm in the gold medal match. It’s a match fraught with pitfalls because, in the qualifying round, Unibo had already beaten the Croatians (66–54) and repeating that feat is never easy. Especially given the Balkan side’s desire for revenge.
In the semi-final, CUS Bologna beat the University of Ljubljana 82–72 (19–21; 38–36; 64–52). Bologna got off to their usual slow start but then, capitalising on their deep bench and coach Matteo Lolli’s determination to do well, took control.
Here’s Matteo Lolli. “A tough, hard-fought, intense match. We were tense at the start, as always. But we did well to hold our own physically and mentally because they play dirty. Now a bit of rest. And then on to the final.”
Manuele Solaroli has no doubts. “We’ve earned our place in the final, which we’d like to win based on what we’ve shown so far. It was an intense match; Ljubljana were strong and of a very high standard. We started from behind, but then we responded well. It was a long one, but we won it with heart, sticking together as always.”
Alessandro Scarponi had the final word. “Ljubljana are strong; they’d never lost a match. But it’s not over yet. The final awaits us and we’ll do everything we can to bring the trophy home.”
The team sheet: Vittorio Zedda 2, Mattia Ferdeghini, Alessandro Grotti 8, Riccardo Galletti 2, Riccardo Ghedini 14, Giulio Martini 2, Alfonso Zampogna 16, Alessandro Scarponi 21, Francesco Buscaroli, Manuele Solaroli 13, Matteo Dias 4, Giacomo Bianchini.
Matteo Lolli, head coach; Giorgio Broglia, assistant coach; Gabriele Fin, team manager; Alex Ranuzzi and Daniele Gasparri, officials; Alessandro Tirozzi, referee.
Press Office – CUS Bologna ASD
