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 arrived in Cervia – begins Antonello Arioli, head coach and architect of that triumph – we were considered the least equipped team for the category jump. And this gave us an advantage over the others, for two reasons: we could redeem the final phase of the Italian Cup, in which we were not ready, and we played lightly and without great pressure against teams built to win.".
A particular formula, that of the last act of the Serie B championship: Final Four, with three promotions up for grabs. Great chances of victory, therefore, for a team “who arrived at the concentration in the best technical-physical conditions of the year. At the end of a season full of peaks, highs and lows, we were really in good shape in Cervia.".
From Arioli's words, the emotion of having reached a historic goal shines through. The memories focus on the decisive match against Legnano, the semi-final, the first opportunity to achieve promotion: “We played a very good game, taking away their strengths and throwing them out of rhythm in attack. Against their defensive choices, we found the right adjustments that paid huge dividends: triggering Vitali, leaning on Samoggia and with many open shots from the weak side. We played a truly mature team match. For the city and the following fans it was an enormous satisfaction, the right recognition for the affection they had always shown towards us throughout the championship".
A key? “We got the team used to a type of important video scouting work: I believe that, from this point of view, Legnano was not at our level. I have to give great credit to the technical staff for the accuracy and precision with which we played that match.".
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.
