Livorno Unforgettable, like the whole season. The Sunday of the Libertas celebration which celebrated the historic promotion to A2 with its people is destined to remain in the history of the club and in the hearts of its fans.
By boat
There are those who celebrate promotions by walking the catwalk through the streets of the city on an open-top bus. Libertas, however, has a Livorno heart and soul and to reiterate this amaranth connotation it opted for the tour of the ditches on board the ‘Marco Polo’ boat of the Cooperativa Itinera.
The boat left from the Molo del Soccorso (Fortezza Vecchia) and then docked there an hour later after having circumnavigated Buontalenti’s Pentagon, covering the route – in the opposite direction – of the Barontini Cup. The result was exhilarating and evocative. All along the route on the ‘Marco Polo’, managers, players and a delegation of fans waved flags and chanted, while applause came from the sidelines and even from the windows of the houses while people took souvenir photos.
Dozens – complete with smoke bombs and red flags – waited for the boat to pass on the Venezia bridge, on the Dominican bridge and on the Mercato bridge. Entranced by the beauty of the city seen from the sea, and happy for the promotion, the players toasted on the boat with glasses of prosecco, before going to enjoy the highlight of the party on the large stage set up in the Fortezza Vecchia close to the Medici walls.
On the boat, of course, the team, the technical staff, the managers and even some fans of those who have always remained alongside the team.
Love for 1500
The view of the amaranth tide that gathered to celebrate the Champions was impressive. There were around 1500 LL fans of all ages.
They ideally, but also physically embraced their ‘heroes’ who made the dream of Libertas’ return to basketball that matters after 33 years come true. Many interventions.
President Consigli recalled the stolen scudetto and gave Libertas an objective – not an immediate one: “We want to go back to playing in Milan, together with you” he shouted into the microphone, addressing the fans.
More calm in tone – but equally charged – the president of the Libertas Foundation Yann Inghilesi: «The doors of the Foundation are open and everyone. We have scheduled the members’ meeting for June 24th. Come and visit us.”
Finally Marco Andreazza underlined the great personality of the team: «When I saw Bargnesi throw the ball onto an opponent’s back after a throw-in, catch it again and score, I saw his personality and that of the group».
Finally, Tommaso Fantoni acted as the star of the jokes and gags. Then a real talk show began hosted by journalist Simona Poggianti who – with funny questions – teased the players who responded with fun by teasing each other.
Terenzi and Fratto
There are two emotionally strong moments. The first was when Diego Terenzi was called on stage and – moved – he thanked the fans and the Amaranth club: «You managed to transform one of the most difficult periods into one of the most beautiful moments of my life».
The other was when Francesco Fratto turned – with teary eyes – to the fans: «You will remain forever in the hearts of all of us, because this was a fantastic and unrepeatable year, which ended with promotion because it is difficult to find a such a united group. For this reason, I hope that you too will never forget us.”
Then lots of laughter when he commented: «Remember that you will have to give me 10% of the resale of Buca because I know how much I trained together…».
Finally, an anecdote from Rici: «In Rome after the Super Cup final I found little Guido, Luca Merani’s son, crying outside the sports hall. I told him: I promise you that we will win an even more important pair.” And so it was.
For Forti
Francesco Forti was also camouflaged among the fans. In this promotion there is also his sweat, his dedication, his love for the shirt.
Remaining in amaranth until January, the ‘Number 6 forever’ could not be missed. And the fans – who adore him – gave him the right recognition in the form of a choir all for him. Also present together with Forti was the former amaranth Davide Marchini, who was also happy with the promotion of ‘his’ Libertas. L
