The prologue of the new season that awaits Unahotels will be staged this morning at the House of Basketball in Mies, near Geneva, the scene of the draw for the elimination rounds of the Fiba Champions League. Yesterday morning the merit bands were announced. The red and whites were included in the third, together with the German Niners Chemnitz (the former Carl Marx Stadt at the time of East Germany) and Rasta Vechta, the Israeli Maccabi Ramat Gan, and the Turkish team Manisa Bbsk. To which are added King Stettin, Poland and, from France, Nanterre 92 and Saint-Quentin. The other Italian team, Tortona, was instead placed in the second tier by virtue, in particular, of their participation in the last edition, where they reached the play-ins but failed to qualify for the Top16. Which is the objective, although undeclared, of Unahotels. Guaranteed to those who win their group, while the second and third teams will play their chances in the barrage of the aforementioned play-ins. Some indications regarding the red and white possibilities can also be drawn from today’s draw. Given that, by regulation, the fratricidal clash with Tortona will not be able to take place in the group stage, it would already be a good thing to avoid, among the first-tier teams, the defending champions Unicaja Malaga and the finalist Tenerife. More affordable, on paper, are the Lithuanians of Rytas Vilnius and the Israelis of Hapoel Holon. As regards the second, the Greeks of Promitheas, Peristeri, the latter semi-finalist last year, together with the Turks of Pinar Karsyaka, appear to be the most popular. It will be interesting, and it will be clear from today, to evaluate the logistical impact of the trips that Captain Vitali and his teammates will have to face, also taking into account the double commitment with the Serie A championship. At today’s event in Switzerland, Pallacanestro Reggiana will be represented by the sporting director Filippo Barozzi. The draw is at 11am. The Champions League will begin in the first week of October and, in this regard, Pallacanestro Reggiana has requested to be able to play the home matches at 8pm. The qualifying tournaments will take place from 15th to 22nd September, for which, for Italy, Dinamo Sassari is registered.
