The coach: “The two big names in Euroleague are in front of everyone. Behind I see Trento and Brescia, then Trapani and Venice. Cantù and Tortona can surprise, the others remain work in progress”
When I arrived in Italy, in 1973, the Serie A had Big Three, that is, Ignis Varese, Olimpia Milano and Forst Cantù. The detachment between them three and the others made an impression. Indeed, in 1972-73, the first three in the ranking were Ignis (24-2), Olimpia-Simmenthal (24-2) and Forst (21-5). In fourth place there were three teams with 12-14. That is, less than 50% victories! Then, slowly, Virtus Bologna, VL Pesaro, Juve Caserta, and others came out. In my last year, 1986-87, we, Olimpia, Italian champions, suffered every game. Example, we were 0-2 against the Turin Auxilium, which did not even play the playoffs! Today we have a similar situation: the Big Two, Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milan, then the others far behind. I spend a few words on Bologna and Milan. We know that these two clubs have legendary coaches: Ettore Messina (Milan) and Dusko Ivanovic (Bologna). We know that they are the only two Italian teams in Euroleague, where they learn to give and take barrels, shut up and commit themselves to 40 ‘. We know that the two teams have renewed a lot: younger, more athletic, more reactive. Over time, we will see if they also have that charism called “fear of fear”.