As the Italian Serie A basketball season for 2025/2026 unfolds, the second matchday has served up a compelling mix of nail-biting finishes, dominant performances, and crucial turning points. For teams vying for early supremacy, these games were more than just points on the board; they were statements, tests of character, and, in some cases, much-needed moments of redemption.
Milano Breaks the Jinx in Varese Derby
After a somewhat shaky start, marked by three consecutive losses across league and Euroleague play, Olimpia Milano EA7 Emporio Armani found their footing in style, securing a decisive 94-61 victory in the Lombardy derby against Openjobmetis Varese. This wasn`t just a win; it was a psychological reset for a team with championship aspirations.
Coach Ettore Messina opted for a compact lineup, and the strategy paid dividends. Despite a few too many turnovers (17 in total), Milano’s offense flowed with uncharacteristic ease. Quinn Ellis continued to impress, complementing the stellar performances of Brooks, who led the scoring with 20 points, and Brown, adding 13. Even Shields, initially quiet, found his rhythm with a pair of critical three-pointers, cementing Milano`s dominance. The game was a showcase of ball movement, with Olimpia tallying 27 assists, six each from Brown and Ellis. Varese, in contrast, struggled on the boards (26-48 disparity) and from the free-throw line, unable to match Milano`s intensity.
Top Scorers (Milano): Brooks 20, Brown 13, Ellis 12
Top Scorers (Varese): Nkamhoua 16, Librizzi 13, Moore 12
Virtus Bologna Survives Udine`s Upset Bid
The term “overtime thriller” feels custom-made for the encounter between Virtus Bologna and Udine. Playing their first Serie A home game in 16 years, Udine`s APU team came agonizingly close to scripting a fairytale upset, pushing the formidable Virtus Bologna to their absolute limits before falling 80-82 after an extra period.
The game was a seesaw battle, with Edwards and Brewton exchanging blows early on. Bologna seemed poised to pull away in the third quarter, scoring the first 10 points and building a double-digit lead. However, Udine, fueled by a tenacious presence on the offensive glass and timely scoring from Calzavara and Dawkins, clawed their way back, leveling the score at 72-72 with just a minute left. The final seconds of regulation saw a dramatic tap-in attempt from Niang for Virtus that just missed the buzzer, forcing overtime.
In the extended session, Udine initially seized momentum, but it was Carsen Edwards who played the role of savior for Virtus. With ice in his veins, he first sank a crucial three-pointer, then followed up with a heroic “and-one” play to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It was a stark reminder that even championship contenders must often dig deep into their reserves of talent and nerve, especially when facing a highly motivated underdog.
Top Scorers (Virtus Bologna): Edwards 27, Pajola 11, Jallow 10
Top Scorers (Udine): Brewton 23, Calzavara 15, Bendzius 11
Brescia Continues Supercoppa Dominance Over Trento
In a rematch of the recent Supercoppa final, Germani Brescia once again asserted their authority over Aquila Trento, securing a 72-63 victory. This win marks two consecutive league victories for the Leonessa, indicating a strong start to their campaign.
Brescia stormed out of the gates, led by Ivanovic, establishing a commanding 21-8 lead within the first six minutes. However, a second-quarter slump saw Trento, powered by Steward and Jones from beyond the arc, narrow the gap to just five points by halftime (39-34). The second half, however, belonged to Brescia`s Della Valle. Carrying his team on his shoulders, he orchestrated plays, scored effectively, and skillfully drew fouls to maintain Brescia`s advantage. Trento struggled to mount a convincing comeback, ultimately succumbing to Brescia for the second time in as many weeks. Sometimes, a rival just has your number, and for now, Brescia seems to have Trento`s dialed in.
Top Scorers (Brescia): Della Valle 19, Ivanovic 18, Burnell 14
Top Scorers (Trento): Steward 18, Forray 11, Mawugbe 7
Trieste Claims First Victory, Napoli Left to Ponder
After an initial stumble, Trieste found their stride, securing their first league win with an 84-79 triumph over Napoli. This victory comes as a crucial morale boost ahead of their Basketball Champions League debut.
Trieste dictated the pace in the first half, building a 47-39 lead, largely thanks to a fiery Markel Brown who dazzled from beyond the arc and capitalized on free throws. Napoli, despite strong rebounding efforts, found themselves trailing. A spirited third-quarter surge saw Napoli, led by Mitrou-Long (21 points), stage a dramatic 23-9 run that put them back in contention. However, Trieste responded with a counter-surge of their own, spearheaded by Colbey Ross (15 points) and bolstered by Sissoko (13 points), to reclaim the lead. A late technical foul against Napoli`s El-Amin proved to be the final nail in the coffin for their comeback hopes, with Uthoff sealing the deal from the free-throw line.
Top Scorers (Trieste): Ross 15, Brown 14, Sissoko 13
Top Scorers (Napoli): Mitrou-Long 21, El-Amin 14, Simms 13
Looking Ahead: Sunday`s Showdowns
The second matchday isn`t quite over, with several enticing matchups scheduled for Sunday. Fans can look forward to:
- Cantù vs. Reggio Emilia
- Trapani vs. Venezia
- Cremona vs. Sassari
- Tortona vs. Treviso
The Italian Serie A is already delivering on its promise of competitive basketball. From Milano`s redemptive derby victory to Virtus Bologna`s narrow escape, the early season narrative is rich with storylines, individual brilliance, and the relentless pursuit of points. As teams continue to define their identities, matchday 2 has certainly set a high bar for the excitement to come.
