Virtus Bologna
2022-05-13
It would've made the headlines all day long, and it would have been the biggest underdog story of EuroCup ever.
But yet, it was an objective that could not even be imagined at the beginning of the season. Frutti Extra Bursaspor's cinderella story finished at the hands of the mighty Virtus Bologna, led by the final MVP Milos Teodosic and co.
The power of the opponent was self-evident, and playing against so much talent and experience, it was almost mission impossible from the very beginning. But yet, Bursaspor fought bravely by repeatedly making runs to cut the double-digit leads.
"I would like to make one point very clear," said Dusan Alimpijevic, the coach of Frutti Extra Bursaspor.
"I am not disappointed at all," said Alimpijevic. "I am very proud, and I am very happy. There is no need for sadness. I am glad to work with players like this. We played well. We fought well, not only today but through the entire season. Not only with players but also the president, the sponsors like every single person in the organization."
The coach is right by all means. But still, one cannot help thinking about "What ifs" in so many instances during the game, when a legendary road for the European title seemed not that far away.
What Ifs
What if John "The Pitbull" Holland and Andrew Andrews-the nightmare of Virtus Bologna with 37 points in their matchup in the regular season- made some more shots to get better than 3/14 FG combined?
"Once again, it is a good indication of the importance of Andrews for us," Alimpijevic commented.
"He had an injury picked up from the Andorra game, and he did not practice until the last day before the final. That was a factor as well. He was guarded well. All eyes were on him."
