A disappointed fan base, despite winning the Italian Cup and first place at the end of the regular season. This time it wasn’t about the complaints of a few people, like those that occurred after game 2 against Trieste for Xavier Johnson’s alleged bad night; this time it was a text released on Instagram and signed by the Curva nord del Palafiera, the hottest sector of the red and white fans, together with the groups ‘Ca’Ossi’ and ‘B6’ (but not by the ‘Mostri’): a total of a few hundred kids. Words that came out with a cool head ten days after the defeat in game 3 in Trieste.
The statement speaks of “yet another championship finished in first place”, in which Forlì however “carved out our usual role as an extra in the playoffs. For years now, history has been repeating itself in the total silence of the club which accepts any result without never explain to the fans what his objective really is.” Harsh words: “Forlì has become a holiday destination for successive players where they can spend the winter in peace. Let it be known that the warmth and support are not taken for granted but must be earned. Also with respect from the team and the club towards their fans. For This is what we ask for clarity on the future from President Nicosanti and the members”.
Evidently the 0-3 defeat against Trieste was poorly digested, despite obvious exemptions: the absence of Kadeem Allen for the entire playoffs and an opponent who, after a regular season full of ups and downs, found the best moment precisely in the post season in which it is still undefeated. Forlì reached first place in the regular season for the second consecutive year and the third in four years, obtaining notable continuity at a high level with a team built with a budget that is certainly not among the top of the category: in addition it lifted the first trophy of its history at this level. The criticism also becomes unfair if you consider that from the spring of 1995 (that of the promotion to A1 with Niccolai’s Olitalia) to 2023, Forlì had never made it through a playoff round in the second national series. She did it twice last year, reaching the final, and once a few weeks ago. And on the “real objective” we must remember the renewal of coach Antimo Martino, the best of the year, first (with victory percentages around 80%) in his last three A2 championships.
It is certainly understandable that we want to materialize these years with a promotion that has been missing for 30 years now. From this point of view, however, the competition becomes even more fierce for the club: a single group with large teams (from Pesaro and Brindisi, who have just been relegated, on down). From this point of view, Forlì will have to try to give the first answer with the summer transfer market.
Stefano Benzoni
