Varese, the heart beats strong again: Nikolic drags the Openjobmetis, Roma surrenders after an additional Masnago finds his smile at the end of a spectacular battle. He finished 110-103 against Rome, with an Openjobmetis capable of suffering, reacting and rediscovering that determination that has always been the soul of Varese basketball. There are victories that are worth much more than the two points in the standings. Victories that come when the legs are heavy, the tension becomes unbearable and every possession risks turning into a condemnation. The one won by Openjobmetis Varese against Rome belongs to this category. On Saturday evening, the Masnago building returned to live one of those evenings that reconcile with basketball. One hundred and ten points scored, an extra time and an audience dragged into a challenge in which no one seemed willing to give up. Stefan Nikolic took the stage, the absolute protagonist of a major performance. The red-and-white player interpreted the game with personality, becoming the reference for a team that needed to regain confidence and certainty. Not only points, but presence, character and ability to take responsibility in the moments that matter. And right around his performance it seemed to resurface that Balkan spirit that has always had a particular meaning in Varese. That basketball culture made of talent, pride and obstinacy, summed up in two words that seem written specifically for an evening like this: Nema predaje. He doesn’t give up. Roma had the merit of clinging to the game, forcing the hosts to go beyond the regular forty minutes. But when the challenge entered the decisive phase, Varese found the energy and above all the conviction to bring home the result. Alongside Nikolic, the contribution of Ikangi is also precious, interpreter of that less flashy work but fundamental to maintain balance and intensity. A victory built through the collective contribution, as coach Ioannis Kastritis also pointed out, satisfied with the determination shown by his players. On the other hand, Marco Magro identified a lack of lucidity as one of the limits that prevented Rome from completing the undertaking. For Varese, however, the value of this evening goes beyond technical analysis. After the difficulties and faded opportunities in previous outings, the team needed a concrete answer. It was not enough to play well for long stretches, it was not enough to get close to success. It was necessary to win. And this time Varese did it. Of course, a game closed on 110-103 also leaves questions. Awarding over a hundred points means you still have a lot of work to do in your half of the field. The defensive seal, the management of possessions and the continuity over the forty minutes remain aspects on which Kastritis will have to intervene. Enthusiasm does not have to erase problems, but it can become the necessary impetus to face them. The most important fact, perhaps, is precisely this: Openjobmetis has finally transformed its desire to react into a victory. And while Masnago celebrates, the image of Nikolic remains, a symbol of an evening in which character has been able to accompany talent. The east wind has returned to blow over Masnago. And this time he brought with him a victory. Nema predaje, Stefan. Nema predaje, Varese. Matteo A. – AI Sport News