DESIUM – In the opening match of the A-2 final, Pallacanestro Trieste conquers the Acqua S. Bernardo Cantù court (72-65).
Record audience
Very bitter evening for a record audiencewith spectacular choreography that left people speechless before the tap-off. The 6,087 spectators present are a new seasonal attendance record in the A-2 championship (the previous one was 5,744 for Trieste-Forlì). However, the sold out failed to push Acqua San Bernardo to victory, also interrupting the unbeaten run of the PalaFitLine (or rather of the “Pianella” as sung by the Eagles).
The derby of the exes
The Varese delegation was massive in the stands of Desio. No, no conversion on the road to Damascus against the super rivals from Cantù (but how long is the derby missing…). Rather, a tangible support for the numerous former players in the Pallacanestro Trieste shirt: captain Giancarlo Ferrero (complete with a poster dedicated to “Gianca”, celebrated upon leaving the field and after a triple de table not declared on the siren), general manager Michael Arcieri, Justin Reyes and Michelino Ruzzier.
Many Varese residents in the stands
Lots of Varese Basketball at the PalaFitLine: managers (Toto Bulgheroni and Mario Vernazza), coaches (Marco Legovich, former current player), collaborators (Max Ferraiuolo, Matteo Jemoli, Marco Gandini, Federico Pisanti), new and old players (Lautaro Basualdo and Willy Caruso, together with their teammates Ricci and Tonut team), agents (Gallinari, Bernardi and Sorrentino) and many professionals. All to enjoy a unique sporting spectacle between the two best teams in the “gold scoreboard” (in the silver one the Sharks Trapani lead 2-0 over Fortitudo Bologna.
The match
Trieste immediately takes possession of the field thanks to the raids of Ruzzier (11 points and 6 assists) and the solidity of the Candussi-Vildera duo. After the interval, when the match now seemed to be headed towards the guests (maximum lead +17), here was Cantù’s leap, with Hickey’s bomb (16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, the only one to save himself in the Acqua S. Bernardo) to give the home team the overtaking. However, the Trieste players do not lose their composure: the experienced plays of Filloy (11 points and 6 rebounds) and the flashes of Reyes (19 points, with 7/14 shooting, 3/3 free throws and 4 rebounds) are the banderillas impaled on the Cantù bull.
Next stop
It replicates Thursday 6th at 9pm (this time guaranteed live TV on RaiSport), again in Desio for race 2. It’s announced another sold out audience despite the start of the Virtus Bologna-Olimpia Milano championship final for push Cantù to the victory that would keep the series open.
