Toko Shengelia’s Courageous Comeback Propels Bologna to Victory

Injury-Impacting Playoffs

In a thrilling display of determination, Toko Shengelia, the injured star of Virtus Bologna, stepped onto the court to salvage his team’s playoff hopes in a crucial final game against Venezia. Scheduled to make a summer move to Barcelona, Shengelia demonstrated that his commitment to Bologna’s pursuit of the Italian Championship remains unwavering.

Game Recap: A Last-Minute Rally

During Game 5 of the quarterfinal series in the Italian playoffs, Bologna faced a dire situation. With a 2-1 lead in the series, the team lost Game 4, pushing them to the brink of elimination. Shengelia, who missed the fourth game due to a head injury, was initially expected to sit out the decisive fifth match.

Despite medical advstart, Shengelia, dressed and on the bench for 34 minutes, demanded to be included as Bologna fell behind 76-67 with just six minutes remaining. His resolve led to his coach, Duško Ivanović, allowing him to enter the game.

Shengelia made an immediate impact, returning to the court after a brief stint and, in under four minutes, led his team to a remarkable turnaround. He scored key points, including the game-winning basket in the final minute, finishing with a total of 7 points, 5 coming from the free-throw line, and achieving a plus-minus of +11. Bologna secured an 84-86 victory, advancing them to the semifinals of the Italian playoffs.

Coach’s Praise and Team Spirit

After the match, Ivanović expressed his respect for Shengelia’s leadership and tenacity, stating, “I had my doubts, but he told me, ‘I want to play, I want to play.’ He ignored his health to help the team and succeeded. He wanted to play at any cost. He is a leader and a warrior-his last three plays likely determined the final outcome.”

Shengelia’s outstanding performance in a time of adversity has left fans and players across Europe in awe, highlighting not just the intensity of the playoffs but also the spirit of teamwork and resilience in sport