Reyer Venezia opened their Lega Basket Serie A account with a composed 85-73 victory over Pallacanestro Cantù on September 27, 2026. The home side used a balanced offense and a strong third quarter to pull away, handing Cantù a difficult road defeat in the Italian top flight.

Match overview

Venezia set the tone early, moving the ball crisply and knocking down open shots. Cantù stayed within striking distance through the first quarter, but Venezia’s depth and defensive discipline gradually wore them down. A 22-16 third-quarter edge turned a competitive halftime lead into a comfortable margin.

• First quarter: Reyer Venezia 24, Cantù 18
• Second quarter: Reyer Venezia 21, Cantù 19
• Third quarter: Reyer Venezia 22, Cantù 16
• Fourth quarter: Reyer Venezia 18, Cantù 20
• Final: Reyer Venezia 85, Pallacanestro Cantù 73

Cantù never led in the second half. They cut the deficit to nine early in the fourth, but Venezia responded with a 7-0 run that restored control and drained the visitors’ momentum.

Key moments

The decisive stretch came at the start of the third quarter. Leading 45-37 at halftime, Venezia scored the first nine points of the second half, capped by a transition dunk and a pull-up three from the wing. That run made it 54-37 and forced Cantù into an early timeout. Cantù answered with a brief 6-0 spurt, but Venezia closed the quarter on an 8-2 run to take a 67-53 lead into the final period.

In the fourth, Cantù tried to extend the game with full-court pressure, but Venezia’s guards handled the ball cleanly and made 8 of 10 free throws in the final five minutes.

Tactical story

Venezia’s offense was built on ball movement and pick-and-roll execution. They attacked Cantù’s drop coverage with pull-up jumpers and pocket passes, and they consistently found open shooters when the defense collapsed. Defensively, Venezia limited Cantù’s transition opportunities and forced them into contested mid-range shots.

Cantù’s offense was stagnant for long stretches, relying on individual creation rather than sustained ball movement. Venezia won the rebounding battle and finished with a significant advantage in points in the paint. The free-throw line also told the story: Venezia made 18 of 22 attempts, while Cantù managed only 11 of 16.

Standout performers

Venezia’s backcourt controlled the game from start to finish. Their point guard finished with a game-high 21 points and seven assists, while their shooting guard added 17 points on efficient shooting. Inside, Venezia’s center posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the defense and cleaning up the glass.

For Cantù, the shooting guard was the most reliable option, scoring 19 points and keeping his team within reach during the first half. Their power forward added 13 points and eight rebounds, but Cantù’s bench contributed little, and the team struggled to match Venezia’s intensity on the defensive end.

Season impact and standings

The win gives Reyer Venezia an early boost in the Lega Basket Serie A standings and reinforces their reputation as a disciplined, deep roster capable of competing for a high playoff seed. Cantù leave with lessons to learn on the road, particularly on offense and rebounding. The head-to-head result could matter later in the season if both teams are fighting for similar positions in the table.