Valencia eyes a longer streak in Bologna

Valencia eyes a longer streak in Bologna

BARCELONA, Nov. 16 (EUROPA PRESS) -

Valencia Basket visits Virtus Segafredo Bologna this Thursday (8:30 p.m.) at the Paladozza, on matchday 8 of the Euroleague Regular Phase, with the possibility of increasing their good run of results against a Virtus that, with Sergio Scariolo in the bench, comes from winning the Italian derby.

Five wins in six games. That is the good streak that the 'taronja' will defend in Bologna, against a team that is with only one victory less and that has grown after beating Armani Milan on the last day at the Mediolanum Forum by 59-64.

Interesting duel, as well as unprecedented in the Euroleague, between two teams on the rise that already met last year in the EuroCup, with two 'taronja' victories but one, the most decisive being in the 'semis', for some Italians who finally took the title.

Without too many changes, nine players from each team remain and, with this, there will be a desire for revenge on the 'taronja' side. Among these exciting players will be point guard Sam Van Rossom, who returns to the team after his injury, while Jasiel Rivero could also play again, after failing to do so against Monaco.

The Monegasques are the latest victim of a Valencia Basket that is enjoying its return to the European elite. La Fonteta saw Álex Mumbrú's team win by 89-84 to savor their third consecutive victory, after the wins against Olympiacos in El Piraeus (82-83) and, at home, against ALBA Berlin (87-73).

However, the challenge is complicated again. The Spanish coach, Sergio Scariolo, put Spain in the next 2023 World Cup in the last 'window' and is back in Bologna, already focused on knocking down Valencia and getting those same 4 victories in the Euroleague table.

"We know Virtus well from last year, a good team that started with not very good results. But it is something normal with the late arrival of Sergio Scariolo to be with the national team. Now they have caught the tone a bit, each time they are playing better. Although they lost against ASVEL, they come from playing a great game against Milan and beating them at home. So we'll have to be good for 40 minutes both offensively and defensively", warned the 'taronja' coach, Álex Mumbrú.

VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLONIA: Teodosic, Hackett, Ojeleye, Mickey and Jaiteh --possible starting quintet--; Cordinier, Belinelli, Strawberry, Bako, Lundberg, Shengelia and Weems.

VALENCIA BASKET: Jones, Radebaugh, Puerto, Webb III and Dubljevic --possible starting five--; Harper, Claver, Prepelic, Pradilla, López-Arostegui, Alexander, and Van Rossom.

--REFEREES: Latisevs, Vilius and Zamojski.

--PAVILLION: Paladozza.