By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
TURIN, Italy – Two years ago, Brescia and Milan put up a battle in the Italian Cup Quarter-Finals that saw Alessandro Magro’s team emerge victorious. That was the first step to winning their first title in the club’s history. On Milan’s coaching staff, there was Peppe Poeta.
Fast forward to the present, in his first season as professional head coach, Poeta went up against his past as Brescia found Milan once again in the Italian Cup, this time in the Semi-Finals.
What came out was a tough and intense 40-minute matchup between the two teams, with Milan coming out on top 74-69 only after starting the decisive fourth quarter with an 11-1 run. Most of the game was played close to the rim, as both sides suffered in three-point shooting (Milan 7/22, Brescia 2/17).
Shavon Shields was the protagonist of the winning side, finishing with 19 points over 3/8 from the arc. Nikola Mirotic added 14, while Leandro Bolmaro had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. With a three-pointer midway through the fourth, Pippo Ricci sealed the deal.
Miro Bilan tried to keep Brescia alive in the first half and concluded with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Following his helpful performance to eliminate Derthona on Wednesday, Maurice Ndour confirmed himself against the EuroLeague representative, finishing with 20 points and 5 rebounds.
They will now face the winner of the second matchup of the Semi-Finals, between Dolomiti Energia Trentino and Pallacanestro Trieste. In the Quarter-Finals, Bertram Derthona Tortona, Virtus Segafredo Bologna, UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia, and Trapani Shark were eliminated from contention.
Trento won a rollercoaster game against Trieste
For the first time ever, Trento and Trieste crossed paths in the Final Eight, both coming off significant winning performances in the Quarter-Finals, respectively against Reggio Emilia and Trapani.
Paolo Galbiati won his first title as a professional head coach back in 2018 with Torino, and in the same city, he will now fight for the second one, this time with the black-and-white side.
Indeed, they achieved the 82-79 victory in the Semi-Finals following a game full of ups and downs. Between the first and second quarters, Trento had a key 10-0 run and reached a 14-point lead (29-15), Trieste managed to turn things around by getting a solid 57-51 lead in the third.
However, Trento answered back again, dragged by Quinn Ellis who almost had a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Anthony Lamb led the black-and-white team with 18 points. Moreover, he gave Trento the possession back when needed from Markel Brown’s hands.
Trieste native Michele Ruzzier (25 points, 5 assists) was on fire tonight, assisted by Denzel Valentine, who had 19 points. The former Chicago Bull looked suffering when leaving the court with 8:52 left after committing five fouls. Markel Brown (21 points) was clutch too.
As said previously, Trento will now have the opportunity of upsetting Milan in the do-or-die final, playing for the first time at this stage of the competition. Jamion Christian’s team, instead, will continue their Italian League run, fighting for a spot in the LBA Playoffs.
LBA Final Eight 2025
Quarter-Finals
- Germani Brescia – Bertram Derthona Tortona 86-79
- Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 77-91
- Dolomiti Energia Trentino – UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 85-80
- Trapani Shark – Pallacanestro Trieste 72-74
Semi-Finals
- Germani Brescia – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 69-74
- Dolomiti Energia Trentino – Pallacanestro Trieste 82-79
Final
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Dolomiti Energia Trentino (12/02 at 17:15 CET)
PHOTO CREDIT: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan