A life spent in basketball, from the 60s to today. Toni Cappellari has covered the history of the game in Italy in every sense.
He was a coach at Leone XIII, he collaborated with the FIP, in 1975 he joined Olimpia as deputy but became manager when Cesare Rubini left.
He was the GM of Dan Peterson and Franco Casalini. He won Scudetti and two European Cups. Then he was president of Pallacanestro Varese, deputy of Fortitudo Bologna, CEO of Olimpia again and briefly GM of Cantù.
He was a man of historic negotiations, such as those that brought Roberto Premier and Dino Meneghin to Piazzale Lotto.
We meet him again today, to talk about what shook the Olimpia Milano world after winning the 31st Scudetto. Nicolò Melli has been a Fenerbahce player since yesterday, with a two-year contract. Five days ago the farewell to Olimpia. What idea did he have?
“Nicolò Melli was a bit closed off by Nikola Mirotic and decided to leave. Evidently also due to a less than idyllic relationship with Messina.”
The coach had spoken on a couple of occasions about wanting to continue the relationship, but according to Melli’s story everything was over in less than a minute. So do you see the crux of the issue in the Messina-player relationship?
“Let’s say that getting along with a strong character like that of Ettore Messina is not so simple. And Stavropoulos, who should have a balancing role, probably doesn’t have all this autonomy.”
Olimpia eventually took home Scudetto number 31, the third in a row, following a second unsuccessful season in Europe. How do you rate the team’s year?
“Good. It didn’t go very well in Europe, but you can’t do everything with a 3-point shot. Now a center like Josh Nebo has been signed up, so we’ll probably take another path next year.”
There has been a lot of talk at Olimpia Milano about the injuries that have characterized these months. You seem to focus the topic on the 3-point shot…
“Injuries? I wouldn’t say they’re the main cause. Relying too much on long range shots doesn’t pay in Europe.”
Can a Scudetto, even the third in line, save a season?
“Yes, even if in Italy it’s now a two-way question between Milan and Bologna.”
I understand that the duopoly, for you, is not a good thing…
“It’s a condemnation for the movement. We are faced with excessive economic and player power. I don’t see how it can be an advantage for the other rivals.”
In all of this, on the part of Giorgio Armani and Dell’Orco there remains total and reaffirmed trust in Messina.
Is this the secret of Olimpia’s successes in Italy today?
“Armani and Dell’Orco trust Ettore Messina blindly. He knows it and can do what he thinks is right.”
Meanwhile, Pozzecco’s national team is ready to leave for San Juan, where the Pre-Olympic is scheduled. How do you see the Italian summer?
“Pozzecco is someone who knows how to do it. For various reasons the team will not be of the highest level, but we hope…”.
