The president of the Basketball League: “Virtus in the Euroleague? The rumors say yes” ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Certainly today the maximum expression of our basketball is Milan-Bologna. It is a trend that however also exists in other large European countries, apart from a few small exceptions. We had an extremely interesting championship: Brescia had a good season, losing the top of the table only in the last few days. We also had Venezia as protagonists, other teams who started badly and then recovered It was exciting, it’s clear that when we get to the final phase and the playoffs, other factors also come into play. Today Milan and Bologna are the best equipped.” Thus the president of the Lega Basket Serie A, Umberto Gandini, guest of Radio Anch’io Sport on Rai Radio 1, on the indissoluble combination Milan-Bologna, for the fourth consecutive year the championship final of the Italian basketball championship. A basketball, the tricolor one, which perhaps has a less than international dimension. “At an international level, the Euroleague is a very small club, already being part of it is a privilege. The teams are very well equipped, with very deep rosters and almost unlimited budgets – continues the number 1 of the LBA – Virtus Bologna has made a beautiful European season, reaching the stage to qualify for the play-offs via play-in. Olimpia Milano was hit by various injuries and had many difficulties during the season: winning the Italian title ennobles the season.
If Virtus Bologna will play in the next Euroleague? The rumors I hear say yes, I sincerely hope so because the investment made by the Zanetti family deserves that stage.” Full arenas and excellent seasonal numbers, we are returning to pre-pandemic levels: “We have invested a lot in visibility, in making learn about the stories and characters behind sporting successes. The pitch proved us right, the arenas filled up, we returned to pre-pandemic numbers. I hope that it is the beginning of a new wave that can only work as best as possible to bring together the interests of all companies. This year Trapani and Trieste have risen: in addition to Serie A, there is a movement behind it that gives us hope, there is a great desire for basketball. What we count on most is the desire of the large consortia and large entrepreneurs who want to continue the strength of basketball”. Regarding the establishment of the agency for economic supervision of the accounts of professional clubs, Gandini underlines that “the discontent was dictated by the communication methods, from what had initially emerged without having been first discussed and evaluated. We are a very small part of the work of this commission, the bulk is the three football leagues. Not much changes: we find it an unnecessary burden to bring costs even to the controlled teams, but for the rest our opinion is absolutely positive”. Refereeing chapter: “It’s not as if there are magic wands or a person who can solve all the problems problems. We certainly have a difficulty, the problem of the vocation and growth of referees. In my opinion, they had a great season, they worked very well. As always, those that are highlighted are the episodes and not the normality. Sometimes the episodes are the ones that divide crowds and opinions. I hope there is a push and a return to being referees, an indispensable job, but certainly not too rewarding.” Gandini was manager of Milan, on whose bench Fonseca will sit, and then also shared a period with Spalletti at Roma: “The Milan has made choices, the owners decide how best to invest their resources and they haven’t done badly in recent years. Of course, everyone would like to be the dominant team in the championship and have prominence at a European level: if anything can be attributed this year, Milan did less than they could have in Europe. Fonseca is an expert coach, who knows our football, has gained experience in different countries, and did very well at Shakhtar. Best wishes and good luck, so that the Rossoneri project will once again become a winner everywhere. As for Spalletti, it was a pleasure working with him. An excellent coach, a man on the pitch who pays great attention to detail and knows very well how to prepare for matches. In the national team he took on a catalytic role. My hope – concludes Gandini – is that he can achieve the great results already achieved with club teams: he deserves them for his preparation and dedication”.-Photo Ipa Agency-(ITALPRESS). Mc / com 17-Jun-24 09: 20.
