Cervia, land of emotions and memories: here is the promotion to A2 in 2014
A few days before the start of the 2021 LNP Italian Cup, the second trophy that will be awarded this sporting season. The venue for the event will be the Cervia Palasport, a harbinger of exciting memories at Bertram Derthona. There, in fact, the Lions achieved the historic promotion to A2 Silver in June 2014, thanks to the 81-72 victory in the semi-final against Legnano.
Milestone reached at the end of an extraordinary year for the Bianconeri, capable of beating Fortitudo Bologna twice during the season (including a historic 61-83 at PalaDozza) and of reaching the final act of the championship, in enviable form . And with the mind, at least partially, clear.
" Of the four teams that came to Cervia ," begins Antonello Arioli, head coach and architect of that triumph, " we were considered the least equipped to make the jump to a higher division. And this gave us an advantage over the others, for two reasons: we could redeem ourselves from the final phase of the Italian Cup, for which we hadn't been ready, and we played lightly and without great pressure against teams built to win . "
A unique format, that of the final act of the Serie B championship: Final Four, with three promotions up for grabs. Great chances of victory, therefore, for a team "that arrived at the training camp in the best technical and physical condition of the year. At the end of a season full of peaks, highs, and lows, we were truly in top form in Cervia . "
Arioli's words clearly reveal the emotion of having reached a historic milestone. Memories dwell on the decisive match against Legnano, the semifinal, the first opportunity to secure promotion: "We played a very good match, taking away their strengths and throwing them off their attacking rhythm. Against their defensive choices, we made the right adjustments that paid huge dividends: setting up Vitali, relying on Samoggia, and with plenty of open shots from the weak side. We played a truly mature team match. For the city and the fans, it was a huge satisfaction, a fitting recognition for the affection they had always shown us throughout the championship . "
A key? "We accustomed the team to a significant level of video scouting: I believe that, from this point of view, Legnano wasn't up to our level. I must give great credit to the coaching staff for the thoroughness and precision with which we played that game . "
Today's Lions will begin their journey on Friday 2 April at 18pm, against Ferrara in the quarter-finals. In a sports hall that exudes sweet and happy memories for the Bianconeri.
