EuroLeague final round: Bologna ends with a smile, Milano falls short against Olympiacos
Edwards leads Virtus to victory vs Maccabi on last round of EuroLeague Play Photo Credit: EuroLeague
The curtain fell on another EuroLeague campaign for Italy’s representatives, with contrasting fortunes in their final European outings. While neither Virtus Bologna nor EA7 Emporio Armani Milano could alter their playoff fate, the manner of their conclusions painted different pictures for the two clubs.
Bologna finds redemption in Belgrade
Virtus Bologna closed their EuroLeague campaign on a rare high, edging Maccabi Tel Aviv 89–85 with their most cohesive performance in weeks. The ball moved with purpose, the spacing looked cleaner, and for stretches, the offense finally found a rhythm that had been missing for much of the season. It was a spirited display that hinted at a different version of this team—one capable of playing with flow and confidence rather than hesitation.
Carsen Edwards set the tone with 19 points, while Rayjon Tucker added 18 in a balanced scoring effort. Ousmane Niang chipped in 16, giving Bologna multiple offensive options and a level of versatility that had often been absent during their difficult European run. The win—just their 14th in 38 games—locks them into 18th place, but more importantly, it snaps an eight-game losing streak and offers a late reminder of the quality within the roster.
European campaign concludes for Italian representatives
Both Italian clubs entered the final round already eliminated from playoff and play-in contention, making these fixtures largely ceremonial. However, the contrasting performances highlighted the different trajectories of the two programs as they prepare for the remainder of their domestic campaigns.
The matches were broadcast live on Sky Sport channels, with Maccabi-Virtus coverage beginning at 20:05 on Sky Sport Max, while Olympiacos-Milano tipped off at 20:15 on Sky Sport Basket. The coverage provided Italian fans a final opportunity to witness their teams in European competition this season.
While Virtus Bologna should be encouraged from their improved display against Maccabi, both clubs will need significant reinforcement and strategic adjustments to compete more effectively in future EuroLeague campaigns.
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