It was a tough start for Openjobmetis Varese, which lost to Virtus Bologna 69-90 on the first day of the season. The Biancorossi, forced to play without William McDowell-White and Amedeo Della Valle, faced a deep, high-quality EuroLeague squad capable of dictating the pace and maintaining consistency throughout the forty minutes. Varese nevertheless tried to stay in the game, mounting a comeback especially in the third quarter, when they managed to cut the deficit to just two points before the Vu Nere pulled away decisively once again. This was a challenging first test for Coach Giannis Kastritis’s team, which must now put this game behind them and continue on its path of growth. Openjobmetis will return to the court next Sunday in Scafati: tip-off is at 5:00 p.m.
It was Alviti, from beyond the arc, who scored Openjobmetis’ first points of the season, but Edwards immediately responded in kind. Varese tried to keep pace with Hale and Renfro, before Carr and Alston pushed Virtus ahead 7-12. Librizzi tries to spark the red-and-whites, including with a three-pointer to make it 12-15, but Bologna finds its rhythm and, led by Baldasso, extends its lead to 14-22, forcing Kastritis to call a timeout. Ikangi cuts the lead from beyond the arc, and Renfro continues to score in the paint, but the Vu Nere maintain control and close out the first quarter ahead 21–26.
Alviti opened the second quarter, but Bologna continued to find ways to score consistently, and with Alston, Edwards, and Carr, they maintained their lead. Openjobmetis stays close, relying on Nikolic and Kamagate, while three-pointers by Frazier and Edwards give the Bianconeri a +10 lead at 29-39. Ikangi and Nikolic try to bring Varese back to within 35-40, but Klintman, Ferrari, and Casarin put together another run for the visitors. Hale halted the run, forcing Mumbrù to call a timeout, then Nikolic scored the final basket of the first half to make it 39-47 as the two teams headed to the locker rooms.
Upon returning to the court, Virtus came out strong, with Edwards, Carr, and Alston extending their lead to 39-53, but Varese fought back: Hale hit a three-pointer, and Duke Jr. energized the red-and-white offense, bringing his team back within striking distance. Kamagate and Duke Jr. again fueled the comeback, then Alviti stole the show with two three-pointers that made it 56-58. Bologna, however, kept its composure and responded with Frazier and Baldasso, pulling away again toward the end of the quarter. Renfro tries to keep Openjobmetis in the game, but Hackett and Carr re-establish the lead, and at the end of the third quarter, the score is 58-68.
Edwards opens the final quarter, but Hale immediately tries to reignite Varese by scoring five consecutive points to make it 63-70. Virtus responds decisively: Baldasso, Frazier, and Baldasso again build the Bianconeri’s new lead, while Kastritis tries to break the momentum with a timeout. La Costa doesn’t let up, and with Klintman, Alston, and Ferrari, further extends the lead, sealing the game for good. In the closing minutes, Librizzi, Roby, and Villa also saw playing time, but the margin remained wide until the final score of 69–90.