| 12 February 2007 From Cindy Garcia-Bennett, PA Sport, Bologna Benetton Treviso edged Virtus Bologna 67-65 to capture a record-equalling eighth Coppa Italia on Sunday.
David Blatt's team, who came from 16 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Montepaschi Siena at the buzzer on Saturday to reach the final, did not take the lead for good against Virtus until 45 seconds remained when Marcus Goree sank one of two free throws.
They held on to take their second honour of the campaign, having already won the Super Cup.
Zare Markovski, the Virtus coach, said to PA Sport: "We did push Benetton to make some mistakes, but it wasn't enough. Now what we have to do is think about winning our next game."
Markovski knew it was going to be tough before tip-off.
"We were not in the best of condition," he said.
"Kris Lang had a fever before the game and Andrea Michelori has not been able to train for a couple of days."
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David Blatt
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| Virtus, who have led Lega A for much of the season and reached the final with an overtime victory over Armani Jeans Milano, were in good shape with three minutes remaining when a three-pointer from Giovannoni Guilherme, a former Benetton player, put them in front at 61-58.
They were unable to protect the lead, however.
Goree made two free throws to cut the deficit to one, and after Dusan Vukcevic missed a three, Travis Best fouled Benetton's Spencer Nelson who split two free throws to tie the game at 61-61 with 1:16 remaining.
After Vukcevic missed another three-pointer with one minute left, Vlado Ilievski fouled Goree and the Treviso veteran made the free throw that put his team in the lead for good.
Missed free throws then killed Virtus.
Marco Mordente, the hero of Benetton's semi-final win after hitting four late three-pointers, fouled out with 28 seconds left, and put Andrea Michelori.
The Italian international could have put his side back in front but he missed both attempts.
Virtus got the offensive rebound, however, and Michelori was fouled again, this time by Soragna with 26 seconds still on the clock.
Again, Michelori failed to convert and this time, Benetton rebounded and Best fouled Nikos Zisis 20 seconds from the end.
The Greek national team star sank both opportunities for a 64-61 advantage.
Instead of Virtus launching a potential game-tying three-pointer, Best had to shoot free throws after being fouled by Terrell Lyday with 17 seconds to go.
The former NBA guard was on target with both, reducing the deficit to 64-63.
Ilievski then put Lyday back on the line with 15 seconds to go and Lyday converted each to take the lead back to 66-63.
Virtus quickly brought the ball up the court and with seven seconds to go, Best attempted a three-pointer but missed and Nelson took the rebound.
Vukcevic fouled Nelson and he made one of two for a 67-63 lead to seal the game, with Ilievski's lay-up at the end finishing the scoring.
Nelson, who scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, was voted the Most Valuable Player.
"Nelson is an underrated player," Blatt said.
"He might play good, bad, 15, 30 minutes, but he positively gives everything he has on the court. At the end of the day, that kind of approach got him to Benetton and he's got two titles this year."
Blatt had big shoes to fill following his predecessor Ettore Messina's departure to CSKA Moscow, with the Italian having won numerous titles and cups in the country.
Before Messina, there was Mike D'Antoni, the current coach of the Phoenix Suns.
"I had a responsibility coming in, to meet the level of very great coaches (Ettore Messina, Mike D'Antoni) because of the organisation and the players and when people ask me, `Where do you stand with those guys?', at least I can point to what we've done and say, `Okay'.
Benetton did not shoot their free throws well for the game, making 18 of 27 (67%), but they did make them when they counted.
Virtus were not much better, making 18 off 26 (69%). Their misses, sadly for them, came at the end when the game was on the line.
When Blatt analysed the game, he could not have been happier with his team's effort.
"Our defense was great tonight and I think in the times when we did take advantage of our mis-matches, it paid off for us," Blatt said.
"Yesterday was a special day. I will probably remember yesterday more than today when it's all said and done. It was a unique day. But it was not an easier game today.
"Our mental energy in the last five minutes of the game today was so high that we were able to steal the game." | 
