Basketball: Belinelli debut without a show, Virtus knocked out with Milan

A triple from applause after about four minutes of play, a flash that deceives you in a subdued game in which emotion prevails in addition to Olimpia Milano. Thus begins the adventure in the Bel Paese of the now ex NBA Marco Belinelli, who cannot celebrate in the best way his debut-return with Virtus Bologna in the Italian Serie A in a classic for the top league: the Italian derby against the Milanese rival. To smile is the Ax Armani that not for nothing is at the top of the standings thanks to the power of its three aces Punter, Shields and Delaney that once again made the difference. The team coached by the former coach of the black V, Ettore Messina, who went under in the score in the middle of the match, managed to recover in the last quarter by closing the game 73-68. Certainly not to remember the most awaited challenge between the two blue spearheads Belinelli and Datome. If the Nba champion with San Antonio does not go beyond nine points in just over 18 minutes played (a three and six free throws on the scoresheet) the Sardinian winger only makes six without impressing and affecting too much. A soft return for 'Beli' whose debut was announced for last December 6, in the match against Sassari, but on that occasion the coach Djordjevic had preferred to keep him on the bench, motivating the choice with a muscle problem of the player. To betray Belinelli in addition to the physical form not yet at the top also the emotion for a day to remember despite the defeat: "It was a game of strong emotions - says the former American NBA player - I was very agitated from the point of emotional point of view, I didn't play a good game, we need to improve but we have shown that we can make life hard in Milan. I only did three training sessions, it takes patience and everything will be fine, I was really super excited. After 13 years out of the "Italy, coming back here was not easy, I lack the race pace. Now head down and work. The level is certainly high, I am trying to understand many things, I will train hard for the best of the team. I have no regrets and I am happy with to be here".