Bologna –
It was supposed to be the big match of the new year, but fate has decided to postpone the first clash between Virtus and Schio. Two months later, a change of court has been decided, with the team from Vicenza hosting Tassinari and her teammates in what is, to all intents and purposes, a direct clash. In front of them are two teams that are living exciting moments of the season: Schio, still undefeated, wants to continue to keep its pursuers at a distance, Virtus, with a string of five games won, is one of the teams in the best shape of the championship.
First for points scored (77.8 on average), for assists (19.9 per game) and for points allowed (58): these are the numbers that make up the business card of the leader in the league, and even its European average is not far off.
Coach Dikaioulakos has managed to put his ideas on the floor in the best possible way, building a cushion of points that Schio still enjoys despite the many games to be made up. Indispensable for this team, Gruda who leads her teammates in terms of statistics, 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds on average, close to the double-double and giving her teammates the necessary courage to play a tough competition like the Eurocup. Directly from Vicenza, with her 12.3 and 8.4 rebounds on average, Jasmine Keys, who rediscovers several teammates from Italy, above all Zandalasini. From overseas, Deshields whose strong point is the percentage from the lunette, with an almost perfect 95.7, collected in just seven games in which she also posted a 12.1 average, testimony to the versatility she enjoys. To complete the quintet also Laksa, Lithuanian 11 points average and Mestdagh with her 10.6 average, to maintain a starting five (with the addition of Futo Andre in the 4 points slot) well above double digit average per game.
The key to the match will be the rebounds, an area in which Virtus has an advantage, and the defense since they clash with the first and second offense in the league: 51.4% for Schio against 46.7% from two-point range of Virtus, which reverses the comparison from beyond the arc, with 35.8% against 31.6% of the yellow-black.
