«Brindisi, it’s just a step backwards»

BRINDISI «Brindisi just took a step back to take a breath and start running again with more enthusiasm than before». Claudio “Bomba” Bonaccorsi he was an exceptional shooter, he played in the top flight from 1983 until 1997 between Livorno, Brescia, Caserta, Rimini, Montecatini and Pesaro, before arriving in the then B1 championship and then arriving in Brindisi in October 2004 to revive the fate of New Basket at that time stuck among the amateurs, in the B2 tournament. A player with a capital “G”, who contributed to reviving the fortunes of the blue and white segmented ball. And he has always remained tied to Brindisi, as well as to his people. «I’m very sorry for the relegation – he underlines -, in the last few games (seven out of ten won from the beginning of March to today, ed.) he gave the impression of having found the square so much so that salvation seemed achievable. Unfortunately, things did not go as hoped. I have learned that everything in life is quite cyclical and in many other places I have been to, including Rimini, Teramo and Roseto, there have been good moments and painful falls. Now it’s happening in Brindisi too, but in Brindisi itself there is a basketball culture and a passion that will allow us to get back on top as soon as possible.”

«However, I make a reflection that does not only concern Brindisi: basketball today, at all levels, is much more balanced and competitive than in the past – highlights the former New Basket point guard -. You can win and lose against anyone. It happens that you may have planned a season with very different objectives and, instead, you find yourself in the quicksand of the rankings without almost realizing it. And if you have lost the habit of fighting and suffering to reach salvation, everything becomes much more complicated. In some ways this is what happened at Happy Casa. In recent years the club has managed to do great things despite being a small reality, I think it was the right reward and the right location for a competent and passionate team led by president Fernando Marino and supported by a population of fans who deserve those goals for the commitment and sacrifices made in these years of high level basketball. It was a source of pride for the city and an example for the whole of Italian basketball, unfortunately then comes a season like this in which things don’t go as you would like and you struggle to get out of it». Everyone, from the club to the fans, is still shocked by the relegation. Now it is up to the management group, led by the number one of the Masseriola district association, to revive the fortunes of white and blue basketball. Without their financial contribution the “Southern Star” would never have been able to reach the top of the national ball game. The hopes of regaining the right enthusiasm are once again placed in their hands. «The ownership, and president Marino first of all, doesn’t want to give up, this can also be seen from the statements made immediately after the verdict that condemned Brindisi to relegation – concludes Bonaccorsi -. The Brindisi public is second to none, they have passion, a lot of passion and this is an excellent basis for a restart. When I arrived, Brindisi was competing in the B2 championship, yet they managed to climb up to Serie A and stayed there for a good twelve years. So no drama, although it is difficult to go back straight away. The important thing is to transform regret into a desire for redemption. It would be a real shame to lose this heritage. Remembering where you started from is essential to lay the foundations of a new project. Resetting everything and coming together becomes essential to start again with renewed enthusiasm.”

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© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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