The sixteen best U-19 italian teams started yesterday the final battle, in a tournament held in Bologna till Sunday with four groups of four teams. Many big names in the opener: Samuel Deguara (Benetton, '91), Riccardo Moraschini (Virtus Bologna, '91), Marco Maganza (Udine, '91), Simone Colonnelli (Stella Azzurra, '91), Achile Polonara (Teramo, '91),... Below over them, youngster Matteo Chillo ('93). The 1.98 forward, being one of the youngest players of the competition, led Fortitudo Bologna's win over Aurora Desio with a 34 valoration in only 29 minutes: 19 points (8/12 twos and 3/4 ft), 17 rebounds and 1 block. But let's check what happened in all the games.
Group A:
-Teramo 65 Udine 64: A lay-up of shooting-guard Alex Martelli ('91) with 33 seconds remaining in the clock gave the first win to Teramo. Great job of Achile Polonara ('91) with 21 points, 13 boards and 4 blocks for a 39 valoration. The forward has played six games this year at Serie A (1.7 points and 0.5 rebounds). Marco Maganza ('91) finished as the best scorer at the other side with 23 points, 23 rebounds and 4 blocks (35 valoration).
-Montepaschi 93 Trieste 83: Wasn't an easy job for Siena squad, that was losing 66-69. With a very interesting group, team coached by Giulio Griccioli won with guard Simone Centanni ('91) and power-forward Antonio Iannuzzi ('91) -also 13 rebounds- scoring 16 points each. For Trieste Michael Teghini ('92) poured 15, the same as Luca Bonetta ('92).
Group B:
-Virtus Bologna 70 Pordenone 62: Nerves in the debut of local team, losing during many minutes. Finally Bologna showed the potential of its prospects, with Riccardo Moraschini ('91) nailing 19 points (2.5 points in 26 games at Serie A) and center Filippo Baldi Rossi ('91) adding 12 with 10 rebounds. Giulio Colamarino ('91), the best of Pordenone with 18.
-Stella Azzurra 83 Reggiana 76: Good start of team coached by Germano D'Arcangeli, led by guard Simone Colonnelli ('91). The prospect poured 26 points with 4/7 threes and pulled down 8 rebounds, finishing as the best scorer of this first day. Reggiana battled till last minutes with a good job of 7-foot center Riccardo Cervi ('91) with 17 points, 12 boards and 5 blocks.
Group C:
-Benetton Treviso 96 Moncalieri 48: Game with no history, in the return of 2.24 center Samuel Deguara ('91) after recovering from a knee injury (ready this interview some weeks ago at EH). The player from Malta scored 17 points (6/6 twos and 5/5 ft), while forward Augustin Fabi ('91) shot 7/8 from downtown. Guard Riccardo Milone ('92) finished as the best scorer at the other side (13) in a game that was already 54-24 at half time.
-Scavolini 62 Tiber 48: With the score tied till last quarter Scavolini hit with a 14-0 run. Game over. Shooting-guard Alessandro Amici ('91) led the winners with 20 points, 11 boards and 3 assists. For Tiber shined guard Simone Nucifero ('91) with 19.
Group D:
-Fortitudo Bologna 76 Aurora Desio 61: Good opener for kids coached by Roberto Breveglieri, with a great performance of youngster Matteo Chillo ('93). The forward nailed 19 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and collected a 34 valoration. Guard Simone Casati ('91) wasn't enough for Desio even he finished with 22 points.
-Bergamo 70 Eurobasket Roma 65: After recovering a 20 points deficit Roma has its chances last minutes, but finally lost. Roberto Marulli ('91) finished as the best scorer of Comark Bergamo, while for Roma guard Eugenio Fanti ('91) poured 23.
