Ismael Bako with Virtus Bologna looking for a place in the quarterfinals. — © ISOPIX
No second consecutive victory for Belgian Lion Ismael Bako with Virtus Bologna in the Euroleague. The Italian team lost at home to Zalgiris Kaunas.
Patrick Ceulemans
The first match of the return round brought a defeat for the Italian Virtus Bologna on the eighteenth of the Euroleague. Ismael Bako (7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist) and his teammates lost after a 36-40 halftime score 77-87 against the Lithuanian Zalgiris Kaunas. Virtus Bologna is tied for eleventh place with 8 out of 18.
Colleague Lion Retin Obasohan will receive the Spanish Barcelona tonight with the French ASVEL Villeurbanne. Profit is in order if ASVEL wants to stay in the running for qualification. The Spanish Valencia will host the Turkish Efes Istanbul tonight. Sam Van Rossom is in full rehabilitation with the Spanish team after a knee injury. Van Rossom underwent knee surgery in mid-November.
With 7 out of 17 and a shared thirteenth place, victory is also an issue for Valencia. Eighteen teams take part in the Euroleague, the strongest European club competition. After no less than 34 matchdays, the top eight have qualified for the quarter finals (best of five). The winners are qualified for the Final Four that will take place on May 19 and 21 in Kaunas, Lithuania.
