For Maurizio Benatti next Monday will be a special day. There is a very hot Torino – Rimini just around the corner and they are nothing less than the two most significant stages of his playing career. Furthermore, by extreme coincidence, Monday 8 April 2024 will mark the fortieth anniversary of one of the legendary dates of Rimini basketball. Nothing less than the day of American Eagle Vigevano – Marr Rimini 68-74, which in 1984 decreed the mathematical certainty of promotion to A1. Benatti on the pitch distributing assists, the dispatch of the 18 coaches and an entirely Rimini stadium. Delirium and celebrations that remain engraved in the red and white memory. “In terms of emotional participation, I still remember it as something incredible – says Benatti – We had the perception that many fans could have been with us that day, after all, bookings during the week at Ottica Gallusi were going at full speed, we knew it. Giuliano he kept us updated. There was a bit of excitement, let’s say we experienced a bit of pressure and we couldn’t wait to play. Then everything went great, it was a fantastic day.” After 25 years, in 2009, Nicola Gambetti organized a reunion, a publication was produced with the story of the “Boys who did the feat” and a celebratory match was played against an All Stars Crabs team. Benatti, playmaker, was in Rimini from 1982 to 1990 and now lives here. From 1977 to 1982, however, the Turin vintages. “The best memory in Turin? Having reached the championship semi-final (at that time it was China Martini Turin) and having challenged Olimpia Milano”. A team, the Piedmontese one, with Caglieris, Brumatti, Meo Sacchetti and also a certain Wansley, who later became the backbone of the 1983-1984 squad in Rimini. Current events tell of two teams that started differently but are now very close, in terms of general values. “Turin has been in the top parts of the rankings all year, Rimini has been on a great recovery for three months after a bad start – continues Benatti -. At the moment Rbr can win against anyone and therefore they will try to do so on Monday in Turin too”.
Loriano Zannoni
