On 14 June 2012 Brindisi beat Pistoia in Game 4 and achieved promotion to Serie A. After 12 consecutive years in the top Italian league, within the friendly walls of PalaPentassuglia, on 28 April 2024, New Basket Brindisi was officially condemned to Serie A2 . We report below the words of a fan from Brindisi, a touching letter of thanks to president Marino, to the club and beyond:
The people of Brindisi, fans and non-fans of New Basket Brindisi, can only thank president Marino for the commitment, passion and love shown towards this team and the entire city of Brindisi over all these years. Thank you because, through basketball, in these 12 years the name of Brindisi has been brought to the highest levels in our country and throughout Europe. Even the mere thought that Brindisi has been in the mouths and minds of thousands of people, in Italy and Europe, and perhaps they have even come to the city, even the simple fact that Brindisi has been present in many newspapers, books, in television and on the web, it is already a great source of pride and satisfaction for those who, like me, love their city and their favorite team madly. If we add to all this that in these 12 years champions have passed, been born and been trained in Brindisi, who then went on to have an excellent career in European basketball and also overseas, if we think that in 12 years we have challenged the most titles in the history of Italian basketball, winning several times, and seen absolute champions of this sport and finally we consider that we had the honor and the possibility of playing in European competitions, the Scudetto play-offs, the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup , then the satisfactions are doubled, tripled… The satisfactions are many, even if in these 12 years you as president have never lifted a trophy, because Brindisi has not won anything, despite having come very close in various situations. So as a native of Brindisi first of all, and as a New Basket fan secondly, I would like to say thank you again, President, for having fully embraced this project, for having given your all and for believing in this story from the first to the last minute. Above all, thanks to his sacrifices, Brindisi lived 12 wonderful years in Serie A. I, and many other fans like me, sincerely hope that you don’t give up anything and can bring Brindisi back to Serie A, among the big names in basketball, the place it deserves and that it has shown it deserves over all these years. The blue and white people, as always, are close to the whole of society and are ready to start again and rebuild together. Thanks then to all the technical staff, from the first to the last member, for the work done over these years. A special thank you goes to all the sponsors, who have increased more and more over the years, who believed in this reality and wanted to invest in this project, making an important contribution to ensuring that the Southern Star shines ever brighter. Finally, thanks to all of us New Basket fans, who with our passion, our faith and the many sacrifices made in 12 years have never left our favorite team and have shared joys and sorrows together. A fan base now known in all Italian sports halls for the warmth and passion demonstrated. A united, cohesive support that has grown over the years and contributed to increasing the number of fans towards New Basket Brindisi. All of us in our own small way have done something for our team. It’s not a question of championship category, of tickets or season tickets, of kilometers traveled for away games, of economic, personal and family sacrifices, it’s not just a simple sport, but an “illness”, a disproportionate love for one’s shirt which has always moved, and will continue to move, an entire population, fans who live in Brindisi and beyond: throughout the Puglia region, throughout Italy and in different parts of the world. Yet another demonstration, perhaps the most beautiful and truest one, were the tears shed by the many fans present at PalaPentassuglia in the last home match of this season and the long applause dedicated to the entire club at the end of the match. Exciting moments, which will remain forever in history and in the hearts of those present. Many people will continue to support the club, the team and the players who will wear the Brindisi shirt, because faith does not retreat, because this public does not retreat, because one day the Star of the South will return to shine high in the sky, in the top flight, and because you must always be proud of your city’s team, regardless of the category in which it plays. All together we will return to Serie A, this is not goodbye but see you again. The story continues…
Many are close to Brindisi
In the last few days too many fans from various Italian squares, various clubs and playerswho in the past wore the Brindisi shirt, they expressed their closeness to Apulian societywishing Brindisi a speedy return to the top Italian league.
The words of president Nando Marino
“We tried in every way and the boys on the pitch in these last few games gave everything with great pride and dignity. It is a huge disappointment to have to give up Serie A after twelve sporting seasons experienced as great protagonists, coming close to winning the Italian Cup on two occasions, excelling in the championship against the great powers of Italian basketball and hitting the parquet of prestigious European arenas. It will take time to get over the disappointment, but we want to immediately gather all the strength and energy to start again and return to where we belong. We have done it in the past, we will do it this time too. The Southern Star will continue to shine”.
Brindisi’s journey in 12 seasons in Serie A
Never in the history of professional sport of any discipline had a team from Puglia managed to play twelve consecutive seasons in their top league. From the season of the return to Serie A in 2012/13 to the current 2023/24 season, an absolute record has been established which belongs to New Basket Brindisi with 398 matches played in official Lega Basket competitions (regular season, Italian Cup, Super Cup and championship playoffs). A twelve-year journey dotted with great results and emotions:
- 5 participations in Scudetto Play Off (one Semi-final)
- 8 participations at Final Eight of the Italian Cup (two Finals)
- 3 participations in the Italian Super Cup
- 7 participations in European Cups (1 Eurochallenge – 1 Eurocup – 3 Basketball Champions League – 2 Europe Cup)
