### Italy: Milan edges Virtus in Game 3

AX Armani Exchange Milan took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Italian League finals with a 94-82 victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna on Sunday. Nicolo Melli shined with 22 points for the winners, Shavon Shields scored 19 and grabbed 7 rebounds, Jerian Grant added 14 points and Luigi Datome 12. Daniel Hackett paced Virtus with 18 points, Milos Teodosic and Marco Belinelli scored 14 apiece and Toko Shengelia 10.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">SCONFITTA IN GARA 3 ❌<br>La Virtus insegue nel punteggio per buona parte della gara, tenta la rimonta ma nell’ultimo quarto Milano tiene il vantaggio <br>18 di Hackett, 14 a testa per Belinelli e Teodosic, 10 Shengelia 📊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WatchUs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WatchUs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TuttoUnAltroSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TuttoUnAltroSport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LBAFinals2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LBAFinals2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/CSN37D6bmh">pic.twitter.com/CSN37D6bmh</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@Virtusbo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Virtusbo/status/1536083135456329729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Shields racked up 10 early points as Milan grabbed a 19-10 lead. Melli extended the margin to double figures. Virtus fought back to within 31-27 after 10 minutes and then Daniel and Teodosic combined on the first 7 points of the second quarter to give Virtus the lead. Datome and Shields responded for the hosts, who held on for a 48-45 advantage at the break. Mam Jaiteh got Virtus within 1 early in the second half before Melli heated up for Milan. The home team went for 30 points in the third quarter to extend the lead. Belinelli scored 10 quick points, but that only narrowed the gap to 83-76. Sergio Rodriguez soon restored a double-digit lead and Virtus never threatened again.

Domestic leagues: Virtus drops Game 3 

### Italian League: Virtus, Shengelia tie finals 1-1

Virtus Segafredo Bologna held serve at home to even the Italian League finals with a 75-68 victory over visiting AX Armani Exchange Milan on Friday. Tornike Shengelia poured in 22 points for the winners, while Mam Jaiteh had a double-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds. Marco Belinelli added 10 points for Virtus. Devon Hall had 16 points and Shavon Shields 15 for Milan.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">&quot;L&#39;arte del tiro da tre punti&quot; 🔥🏀🔥<br><br>Spiega il concetto il Professor <a href="https://twitter.com/marcobelinelli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marcobelinelli</a>. Che meraviglia!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EurosportBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EurosportBasket</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LBASerieA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LBASerieA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TuttoUnAltroSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TuttoUnAltroSport</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/LegaBasketA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LegaBasketA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/discoveryplusIT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@discoveryplusIT</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Virtusbo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Virtusbo</a> <a href="https://t.co/0kOlPugb1X">pic.twitter.com/0kOlPugb1X</a></p>&mdash; Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurosport_IT/status/1535350324520796161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>

Milan stormed to an early 4-13 advantage behind 5 points from Shields before Jaiteh helped Virtus reel it back. Free throws by Shields and Hall kept the hosts from taking the lead, and the latter's late and-one conversion meant a 17-23 Milan lead after 10 minutes. Bellineli's 8 points in less than 2 minutes of the second quarter got Virtus ahead 29-26, but the hosts eventually needed a triple by Milos Teodosic for a 38-38 halftime tie. Virtus took its biggest lead at 47-40 on 5 consecutive points by Shengelia midway through the third quarter, but Shields and Hall fired Milan back to withing 55-54 after 30 minutes. Amar Alibegovic and Alessandro Pajola added 4 free throws to the Virtus lead before Shields closed the gap to 62-59 from deep. Jaiteh's 4 points in a row and a basket by Pajola lifted Virtus up 68-61 with 3 minutes left. Shengelia stepped in with 4 quick points around a triple by Sergio Rodriguez for Milan as Virtus's defense held on to even the series 1-1.

### Spanish League: Joventut's dream ends in semis

FC Barcelona will defend its Spanish league title after winning its second game in a row on the court of Joventut Badalona, 60-63 on Friday, to win their semifinal series 3-1. Barca will meet archrival Real Madrid in the best-of-five finals starting on Monday. Nikola Mirotic powered Barca with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Cory Higgins added 13 points and Nick Calathes 12. Ante Tomic had 15 points and Derek Willis 14 for Joventut.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NICK CLUTCHLATHES<a href="https://t.co/Tnt4sxA2rQ">pic.twitter.com/Tnt4sxA2rQ</a></p>&mdash; 🏆 Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1535365814265663488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>

Joel Parra and Tomic worked inside to put Joventut up early while Calathes and Mirotic put up 11 points to keep Barcelona in step. Free throws from Pau Ribas meant a 14-13 lead after one quarter for the hosts. Parra and Ferran Bassas filled a 10-0 start to the second quarter that ballooned Joventut's lead to 24-13. Higgins had the only 2 baskets in Barca's six-point second quarter, the last with 2:43 left as Joventut stayed up 28-19 at the half. Calathes, Higgins and Mirotic scored the first 6 points after the break to signal Barca's comeback. Mirotic would tie it 34-34 before Higgins hit from long range for a lead change that the visiitors held onto, 39-40, after 30 minutes. Brandon Davies broke a 43-43 tie in the fourth quarter and Mirotic's 5 points in a row soon made it 46-54 for Barca.  Willis suddenly unloaded 8 points to get Joventut within 54-56 with 2 minutes left. After Tomic tied for the hosts, Calathes answered and Barca stayed strong the rest of the way to win the series 3-1.

Domestic leagues: Virtus evens Italian finals 1-1

Hamburg Towers made the first offseason addition by inking a two-year deal with center [Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jonas-wohlfarth-bottermann/001990/), the club announced on Friday. Wohlfarth-Bottermann (2.07 meters, 32 years old) arrives from a fellow German side Ludwigsburg where he spent the last three seasons. Veteran big man posted 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in German League action last season, while managing 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in the Basketball Champions League.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Der Riese wird ein Tower: Vom <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Playoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Playoffs</a> Halbfinalisten <a href="https://twitter.com/MHP_RIESEN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MHP_RIESEN</a> wechselt <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JonasWohlfarthBottermann?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JonasWohlfarthBottermann</a> in unsere Hansestadt und unterschreibt einen Zwei-Jahres-Vertrag. <br><br>➡️<a href="https://t.co/EpbPlTdcis">https://t.co/EpbPlTdcis</a> <br><br>Willkommen in Hamburg, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WoBo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WoBo</a>! 😍 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamburgTowers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamburgTowers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TowersFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TowersFamily</a> | 📸: <a href="https://twitter.com/fotoduda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fotoduda</a> <a href="https://t.co/YDB8PAwG9e">pic.twitter.com/YDB8PAwG9e</a></p>&mdash; Hamburg Towers (@hamburgtowers) <a href="https://twitter.com/hamburgtowers/status/1535262130605379584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Wohlfarth-Bottermann now returns to the 7DAYS EuroCup where he has 48 career appearances over four seasons, with career-averages of 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds. He played two seasons in the competition with ALBA Berlin, a short stint in 2017 with ratiopharm Ulm and one with Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in the 2018-19. At the start of his career, Wohlfarth-Bottermann played with Telekom Baskets Bonn, and also played on-loan with Rhondorf before joining ALBA in 2013.

Hamburg inks big man Wohlfarth-Bottermann

jonas-wohlfarth-bottermann-fraport-skyliners-frankfurt-photo-skyliners-ec18

Virtus Segafredo Bologna signed Michele Ruzzier over the summer to provide backcourt depth and the veteran point guard was up to the challenge whenever he was called on.

Tribute to the Champs: Michele Ruzzier

Ruzzier appeared in 10 7DAYS EuroCup games for the club this season and all of them were in the regular season. He was busiest in December and January, when Nico Mannion and Milos Teodosic each missed games and Ruzzier stepped up. He played at least 10 minutes in five consecutive games. Ruzzier tallied 5 points and 5 assists in 19:38 minutes in the second of those games, in Round 7 against Promitheas Patras.  He made his lone start of the season in an 83-82 victory in Round 9 against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse in which he contributed 4 points.

Tribute to the Champs Michele Ruzzier

When the team added former EuroLeague champion Daniel Hackett, Ruzzier’s minutes in the EuroCup dried up. However, he continued to play more in the Italian League, where Ruzzier helped Virtus finish atop the regular-season standings. He appeared in 29 games in which he averaged 1.8 points and 2.5 assists in 12 minutes per game. The fact that Virtus could always count on Ruzzier to be ready when called on allowed Coach Scariolo to ease the burden on his stars in domestic action. Because of all his contributions on the floor, from the bench and in the locker room, in both the EuroCup and in the Italian League, Virtus was a stronger team thanks to Ruzzier, who now proudly sports the title of EuroCup champion.  

Turk Telekom Ankara geared up for the new 7DAYS EuroCup season by putting Erdem Can, a former assistant with the club, at the head of the bench. Erdem, 41, was an assistant coach at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul for nine years before spending the last one as an assistant coach with Utah of the NBA. During his time with Fenerbahce under Simone Pianigiani, Ertugrul Erdogan, Zeljko Obradovic and Igor Kokoskov, Can was part of teams that won the 2016-17 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague while reaching five Final Fours in a row. Fenerbahce also won four Turkish League and three Turkish Cup titles with Can on the bench.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Türk Telekom Basketbol Takımımız’ın yeni Başantrenörü Erdem Can’la imzalar atıldı! Yeni sezonda, yepyeni heyecanları ve başarıları birlikte yaşamak dileğiyle. Heyecanlı ve mutluyuz. Ailemize hoş geldin koç! 💪 <a href="https://t.co/BNk0YeWxaJ">pic.twitter.com/BNk0YeWxaJ</a></p>&mdash; Türk Telekom SK (@TurkTelekom_SK) <a href="https://twitter.com/TurkTelekom_SK/status/1535178582145777664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Can started his career with Turk Telekom in his native Ankara in 2008 as an assistant coach. In his only other head coaching job until now, Can coached Oline Edirne for two seasons in the Turkish League, including a seventh-placed finish in the first of those, 2010-11. At Turk Telekom, Can replaces Henrik Rodl, who joined the team at mid-season and led it to an appearance in the eighthfinals.

Turk Telekom tabs Can for the bench

ratiopharm Ulm announced that it has signed Robin Christen to a two-year deal. 

Ulm pens Christen to two-year pact

ratiopharm Ulm announced that it has signed [Robin Christen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/robin-christen/011188/) to a two-year deal. Christen (2.02 meters, 31 years old) is Ulm’s first signing for the 2022-23 season. He arrives from Hamburg Towers, where he averaged 5.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 17 games in the 7DAYS EuroCup last season and 7.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in the German League as a part-time starter.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Servus, Robin! ✌️<br><br>Unser erster Neuzugang für die kommende Saison steht fest. Der 31-jährige Forward Robin Christen kommt von den Hamburg Towers an die Donau.<br><br>Hier findet ihr alle Informationen über den neuen Uuulmer 👇<a href="https://t.co/NaLH8apSPq">https://t.co/NaLH8apSPq</a></p>&mdash; ratiopharm ulm (@ratiopharmulm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ratiopharmulm/status/1535171627629027329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Christen has also played for RASTA Vechta, RheinStars Koeln, HEBEISEN WHITE WINGS Hanau, ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen, LTi GIESSEN 46ers, Licher BasketBaren, BBLZ Mittelhessen and TV Lich in his career. Christen made his debut with the German national team last season, too.

Magro, age 40, comes off his first season as Brescia's head coach, one in which the team ranked third at the end of the Italian League regular season with a 21-9 record. He helped Brescia reach the Italian League playoffs and the Italian Cup semifinals. Magro previously worked with the team as assistant coach from 2016 to 2019. He also coached MKS Dabrowa Gornicza of Poland and Paffoni Omegna of Italy, and had a long career as assistant coach in teams like Livorno Basket, Montepaschi Siena and Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">GERMANI BRESCIA E ALESSANDRO MAGRO, IL VIAGGIO CONTINUA VERSO NUOVI TRAGUARDI<br><br>Leggi qui il comunicato ➡️ <a href=https://t.co/VYiqm9xEva>https://t.co/VYiqm9xEva</a><a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/DreamBig?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#DreamBig</a> <a href=https://t.co/ywV5KY5Twl>pic.twitter.com/ywV5KY5Twl</a></p>&mdash; Pallacanestro Brescia (@LeonessaBrescia) <a href=https://twitter.com/LeonessaBrescia/status/1535238018516369411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>June 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script> </center>

"The journey continues. I am happy and proud to be able to continue the work we started a year ago," Coach Magro said after the agreement. "The relationship of great mutual esteem that exists with Mauro Ferrari and the will to continue growing together will be the basis of the new season. What we experienced in the first year of this new project alone was incredible, the result of a vision, work and sharing between the owners, the club - in the figures of Marco De Benedetto, Marco Patuelli and the members of the office - and of all my staff."

Pallacanestro Brescia and head coach Alessandro Magro agreed to keep working together until the end of the 2023-24 season. 

Brescia keeps Coach Magro

Umana Reyer Venice finished its 2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup campaign. Check this Slide Show with its best 10 pictures! 

Top 10 Photos of the 2021-22 Season: Umana Reyer Venice

Julyan Stone - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer) 

Michael Bramos - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer) 

Stefano Tonut - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Miguel Angel Polo - Valencia) 

Austin Daye - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer) 

Andrea De Nicolao - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer)

Victor Sanders - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer)

Martynas Echodas - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer) 

Jeff Brooks - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Gran Canaria) 

Jordan Theodore - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer)

Mitchell Watt - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer)

After joining the team in February, [Tornike Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/)'s role and contributions constantly grew and he finished the season by helping Virtus Segafredo Bologna win the 7DAYS EuroCup crown - the second of his career.

The 30-year-old Shengelia's move from CSKA Moscow was a blockbuster addition to the team with four rounds left in the regular season. In the remaining regular-season games - his first appearances in the competition since 2010, it was already clear how high his all-around contributions could help lift the team, as he averaged 7.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in helping Virtus clinch fourth place.

Tornike Shengelia | Season Highlights | 2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup

Shengelia then stepped it up another notch during the postseason. His 7 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds helped break Lietkabelis Panevezys in the eighthfinals and he followed it up by posting 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in the quarterfinals versus ratiopharm Ulm. His greatest performance came in Virtus's only playoff road win, when Shengelia netted 15 points with 3 assists and 3 rebounds in the semifinals against his former club, Valencia Basket. He capped the run with 5 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the finals against Frutti Extra Bursaspor.

Shengelia spent on average more than 26 minutes on the floor during the playoffs, bringing energy and toughness as well as some playmaking help from the forward position. When all was said and done, Shengelia was crowned a EuroCup champion for the second time in his career, a full 12 years after winning his first one with Valencia.