Fulgor Libertas Forli Take Down Baltur Cento 80-73 in Serie A2

Fulgor Libertas Forli claimed an 80-73 home victory over Baltur Cento in the Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro Serie A2 on October 4, 2026, using a decisive third-quarter surge and steady late-game execution to secure the win. The result adds another important line to Forli’s season and gives their fans a home performance defined by defense, rebounding, and timely shot-making.

Cento arrived with a reputation for spacing the floor and pushing the tempo, but Forli controlled the game’s rhythm after halftime. The visitors remained within reach until the final minutes, yet Forli’s ability to generate stops and convert at the free-throw line proved to be the difference in a competitive Serie A2 matchup.

Match Overview

The game followed a familiar pattern for two quarters: both teams traded runs, and neither side was able to build a double-digit advantage. Forli led 22-18 after the first quarter, but Cento responded with a stronger second period to trim the halftime margin to 41-38 in Forli’s favor. The third quarter was where the game tilted, as Forli outscored Cento 21-16 to carry a 62-54 lead into the final period. Cento won the fourth quarter 19-18, but the comeback never fully materialized.

• Final score: Fulgor Libertas Forli 80, Baltur Cento 73
• League: Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro Serie A2
• Date: October 4, 2026
• Quarter scores: 22-18, 19-20, 21-16, 18-19

Key Moments

The decisive stretch came midway through the third quarter. With Forli holding a narrow 47-44 lead, the hosts went on a 12-3 run powered by transition baskets and two three-pointers from the wing. That burst pushed the advantage to 59-47 and forced Cento into a timeout. Cento responded with a 7-0 run early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 62-61 and briefly making the home crowd nervous. Forli answered with a 9-2 run, capped by a clutch corner three and two offensive rebounds, to move ahead 71-63. Cento trimmed the margin to 71-68 with under three minutes remaining, but Forli closed the game at the free-throw line and never allowed the visitors to complete the comeback.

Tactical Story

Forli’s game plan revolved around controlling the paint and limiting Cento’s second-chance opportunities. The hosts won the rebounding battle and consistently forced Cento into contested mid-range shots late in the shot clock. Offensively, Forli attacked the rim through high ball screens, drawing help defenders and creating open looks for shooters.

Cento stayed competitive by moving the ball quickly and hunting mismatches on the perimeter, but their offense became more predictable in the second half. When Forli switched to a more aggressive pick-and-roll coverage, Cento’s guards were forced into difficult pull-ups rather than clean catch-and-shoot attempts. The result was a lower-scoring second half for the visitors and a lead that Forli could protect.

Standout Players

• Matteo Palumbo (Forli): 21 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 three-pointers. Palumbo set the tone in the backcourt and made the biggest shots of the third-quarter run.
• Lorenzo Baldasso (Forli): 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks. Baldasso controlled the glass and gave Forli a reliable inside-outside presence.
• Marco Santi (Cento): 19 points, 5 assists. Santi kept Cento within striking distance with timely perimeter shooting.
• Andrea Renzi (Cento): 14 points, 10 rebounds. Renzi battled on the interior but was limited by foul trouble in the fourth quarter.

What the Result Means

The win strengthens Forli’s position in the Serie A2 standings and gives the team valuable momentum. In a league where home results often decide playoff seeding, protecting home court against a direct rival like Cento is significant. For Cento, the loss is a missed opportunity to steal a road win, though the performance showed enough resilience to suggest they will remain competitive in the coming weeks. The head-to-head record now favors Forli, and the next meeting between these two sides will carry added weight in the race for positioning.

Forli will look to carry the defensive intensity into their next fixture, while Cento must clean up late-game execution and rebounding if they are to turn close losses into wins. In the wider Serie A2 picture, this result is another reminder that the league’s middle tier is tightly packed, and every possession can shape the standings.