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Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna, known for sponsorship reasons as Virtus Segafredo Bologna, is an Italian professional basketball club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna.
The club was founded in 1929, which makes it the oldest club in Italy and one of the oldest ones in Europe. Virtus is the second most titled basketball club in Italy after Olimpia Milano, having won 16 Italian
national championships
A national championship(s) is the top achievement for any sport or contest within a league of a particular nation or nation state. The title is usually awarded by contests, ranking systems, stature, ability, etc. This determines the best team, indi ...
, 8 Italian National Cups and 3 Italian Supercups. Moreover, it is one of the most successful teams in European competitions, having won two EuroLeagues, one EuroCup, one FIBA Saporta Cup, one EuroChallenge and one Basketball Champions League. It currently plays in the Italian first division LBA LBA or lba may refer to:
Science
* Live blood analysis, the observation of live blood cells through a dark field microscope
* Long branch attraction, an error in molecular phylogeny
* Ligand binding assay, an assay whose procedure relies on the b ...
as well as in the EuroLeague. The club is owned by the coffee entrepreneur Massimo Zanetti.
Some of the club's star players over the years have included: Gianni Bertolotti
Gianni Bertolotti (born 12 February 1950) is a retired Italian professional basketball player.
Professional career
During his club career, Bertolotti was the FIBA Saporta Cup Finals Top Scorer, in 1978.
Italian national team
As a member of the ...
, Tom McMillen, Carlo Caglieris
Carlo Caglieris (born 2 July 1951) is an Italian former basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Caglieris is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian point guards of his generation, having won th ...
, Renato Villalta
Renato Villalta (born 3 February 1955 in Maserada sul Piave, province of Treviso) is a former professional basketball player from Italy. At a height of 2.04 m (6'8 ") tall, and a weight of 102 kg (225 lbs), he played at the power forwa ...
, Marco Bonamico
Marco Bonamico (born 18 January 1957 in Genoa) is a former professional basketball player from Italy. At a height of 2.01 m (6'7") tall, he played at the small forward and power forward positions. During his playing career, his nickname was, "il ...
, Jim McMillian, Krešimir Ćosić, Roberto Brunamonti
Roberto Brunamonti (born 14 April 1959 in Spoleto) is a retired Italian professional basketball player and coach. At a height of 191 cm (6'3") tall, he played at the point guard position. He was among the 105 player nominees for the 50 Grea ...
, Augusto Binelli
Augusto "Gus" Binelli (born 23 September 1964) is a retired Italian professional basketball player and coach. At a height of tall, and a weight of , he played at the center position. Binelli was drafted in the second round, of the 1986 NBA dra ...
, Micheal Ray Richardson, Jure Zdovc, Predrag Danilović, Cliff Levingston
Clifford Eugene Levingston (born January 4, 1961) is an American professional basketball coach and former player.
Professional playing career
A former power forward, Levingston played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Levingston st ...
, Arijan Komazec, Orlando Woolridge, Zoran Savić, Bane Prelević
Bane may refer to:
Fictional characters
* Bane (DC Comics), an adversary of Batman
* Bane (''Harry Potter''), a centaur in the ''Harry Potter'' series
* Bane (''The Matrix''), a character in the ''Matrix'' film trilogy
* Bane the Druid, a Guar ...
, Alessandro Abbio
Alessandro Abbio (born 13 March 1971 in Racconigi, Province of Cuneo) is an Italian former professional basketball player.
Professional career
Abbio was the MVP of the Italian SuperCup in 1998, and he also won the Euroleague twice; in 1997– ...
, Radoslav Nesterović
Radoslav () is a common Slavic masculine given name, derived from ''rad-'' ("happy, eager, to care") and ''slava'' ("glory, fame"), both very common in Slavic dithematic names. It roughly means "eager glory". It is known since the Middle Ages. Th ...
, Antoine Rigaudeau, Alessandro Frosini
Alessandro Frosini (born 22 September 1972) is an Italian former professional basketball player. He was also a member of the Italian national basketball team.Hugo Sconochini, Marko Jarić, Manu Ginóbili, Matjaž Smodiš, David Andersen,
The first official championship of Virtus dates back to 1934, the year in which the Bolognese team won the first division tournament, obtaining the promotion in the top tournament after a hard-fought group of playoffs against Unione Sportiva of Milan and Ginnastica Rome. Team's captain was Venzo Vannini, while other important players were Giuseppe Palmieri and 
In the following season, Renzo Poluzzi became the new head coach and led Virtus to its second championship. Under Poluzzi, Virtus won the title again in 1948 and 1949, achieving the so-called "four-peat". In 1949–50 season, the Black V arrived second after Olimpia Milano; during these years, the long-time rivalry with Olimpia, known as "derby of Italy", began. Olimpia won the title for the next four years too, while the Black V placed second in 1952 and 1953. In 1954,
/ref> The arena was later nicknamed ''Il Madison'', after New York's
The 1960s had been an unfortunate decade for Virtus. The turning point occurred in 1968, when the lawyer Gianluigi Porelli was appointed by the then president of the multi-sport club, Giovanni Elkan, at the head of the basketball section. Alternately nicknamed "
In the following season, Virtus signed Tom McMillen, a 22-years-old player from Maryland University, who was selected with the 9th overall pick by the Buffalo Braves during the
After Peterson's departure, Terry Driscoll was appointed new head coach. Porelli signed also Krešimir Ćosić, one of the best centers in Europe; the team was also composed by great Italian players as
At the beginning of the 1980–81 season, Driscoll's assistant, Ettore Zuccheri, became the new head coach, but he was later replaced by
In 1988, Porelli hired Bob Hill, who was
''post-gazette.com'' published 14 February 2002 At the beginning of the season, Porelli reached an agreement with Knorr, a German food and beverage brand, which became the team's sponsor. In 1988–89 Virtus won its third Italian Cup, but it was defeated in the semi-finals for the national championship against Enichem Livorno, coached by Bucci. Despite the playoffs' elimination, the season was considered a rebirth for Virtus: the national cup was the team's first trophy since 1984 and the great performances of Richardson had brought back the passion for basketball in the city. This period became known as "Sugar-mania", from Richardson's historic nickname. In the following summer, Hill surprisingly resigned from his post and his assistant, the 30 years-old Ettore Messina, was appointed new head coach. The Black V won the Italian Cup again and on 13 March 1990, won its first European title, the
In the summer of 1992, Cazzola signed Predrag Danilović, a young Yugoslav player who won the latest FIBA European League with Partizan. Under the strong leadership of Danilović and the important support of Brunamonti,
In 1997, Roberto Brunamonti became team's general manager, while coach Messina and Sasha Danilović returned to Virtus and the team was completed with important international players like
In the 2000–01 season, Madrigali and Brunamonti signed important players, like Marko Jarić, Manu Ginóbili, Matjaž Smodiš, Rashard Griffith and David Andersen; while at the beginning of the season, Sasha Danilović suddenly announced his retirement from basketball. The absence of a strong leader like Danilović and the subsequent ban for doping of another historic player like Hugo Sconochini, forced every single player of the team to take more responsibility, but at the same time opened spaces to the immature and talented newcomers, free to show their abilities and experience at a high level.
After a tough beginning, the season had a turning point during the Christmas derby against Fortitudo, which was soundly won by the Black V by 99–62. From then, Virtus started an outstanding season, characterized by an unrepeatable group capable of beating every record and becoming one of the strongest European teams of all time and, according to many, the strongest ever. On 28 April 2001, Virtus won its seventh Italian Cup against Pesaro, while on 10 May, the Black V won its second EuroLeague, defeating 3–2
, nba.com. Retrieved 17 June 2007. After the double in 1997–98, in 2000–01 season, Virtus completed a so-called Triple Crown (known in Italy as ''Grande Slam''), winning all the trophies that it could won. In the following season, Virtus won its 8th Italian Cup, but after some defeats Madrigali fired Messina. However, after a field invasion by Virtus supporters before a match against
In the 2005–06 season, Sabatini hired
In the following summer, president Bucci announced 
The 2018–19 season began with the appointment of Alessandro Dalla Salda as new club's CEO and the hire of
On 13 July, Virtus signed a three-year deal with Miloš Teodosić, 2016 EuroLeague champion and former NBA player, who was widely considered one of the best European 
After the early end of the season, the team was largely confirmed for the following championship and, in May and June, the club signed prominent Italian players, like 
On 15 June, after a few days from the victory, Đorđević was not confirmed as head coach at the end of his two-year contract, due to some tensions with the club's ownership occurred during the season. On 18 June, the club hired the new head coach, signing a three-year deal with Sergio Scariolo, from the Toronto Raptors. Moreover, Marković, Hunter, Gamble and Ricci were not renewed, while in July and August 2021 Virtus signed important foreign players like
Virtus SEF.svg, Multi sport club SEF Virtus logo
Virtus VB.svg, Used during the 1930s
V solid.svg, Used during the 1940s and the 1950s
V serif.svg, Used from the 1960s until 1984
V star.svg, Used after the 10th title of 1984
Virtus Bologna logo.svg, Current logo used since 1996
Virtus Segafredo-Ambalt Recanati
Virtus.it, Retrieved 23 March 2017.
Historical record and names at Lega Basket Serie A
Retrieved 27 June 2015 {{Navboxes, title =European championships squads, titlestyle = background:#201F1F; color:white; , list1= {{Virtus Bologna 2008–09 EuroChallenge champions {{Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna 2018–19 BCL Champions {{Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna 2021–22 Eurocup champions Virtus Bologna, 1929 establishments in Italy Basketball teams established in 1929 Basketball teams in Emilia-Romagna EuroLeague-winning clubs Sport in Bologna
Travis Best
Travis Best (born July 12, 1972) is an American former professional basketball player, who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and in Europe.
High school career
Best attended Springfield Central High School, starring on teams tha ...
, Keith Langford
Andre Keith Langford (born September 15, 1983) is an American professional basketball player who last played for AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League. Standing at 6' 4" (1.93 m), he primarily plays at the shooting guard position. He played colle ...
, Miloš Teodosić, Marco Belinelli, Daniel Hackett and Tornike Shengelia. While some of the club's greatest coaches had been: Vittorio Tracuzzi
Vittorio Tracuzzi (2 January 1923 – 21 October 1986) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
References
External links
*
1923 births
1986 deaths
Italian men's basketb ...
, Dan Peterson, Terry Driscoll
Edward Cuthbert "Terry" Driscoll, Jr. (born August 28, 1947) is a former American college athletics administrator and professional basketball player. Until 2017, he served as athletic director at the College of William & Mary.
College career
Dri ...
, Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
, Ettore Messina, Aleksandar Đorđević and Sergio Scariolo.
History
1929–1956: Beginnings and post-war dynasty
Virtus was founded in 1871 as a gymnastics club, forming its first professional basketball team in 1929 as part of a multi sports club. The club's motto was ''Forte Franco Fermo Fiero'' ("Strong Frank Firm Proud") and was inserted in the logo under the Black V, with a cross made by four F; the motto is still used by Virtus today. The team's home court was the former church of Santa Lucia in the city center, which could host a few hundred people.
The first official championship of Virtus dates back to 1934, the year in which the Bolognese team won the first division tournament, obtaining the promotion in the top tournament after a hard-fought group of playoffs against Unione Sportiva of Milan and Ginnastica Rome. Team's captain was Venzo Vannini, while other important players were Giuseppe Palmieri and Giancarlo Marinelli
Giancarlo Marinelli (4 December 1915 – 12 May 1987) was an Italian basketball player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics and the 1948 Summer Olympics. He was born in Bologna
Bologna (, , ; egl, label=Emilian language, Emi ...
. After the promotion, Virtus settled permanently at the top of the national basketball league, and achieved a long series of honorable placings: in the nine championships disputed from 1935 to the outbreak of the Second World War, the Black V collected 6-second places, 2 third places, and a sixth place, however Virtus never achieved to win a national title.
From 1943 to 1945, the championship was suspended due to the outbreak of the war in the country and the beginning of the civil war. At the end of the world war, Santa Lucia was no longer available for basketball games and after a brief period of outdoor matches on a field in Via del Ravone, the team moved to Sala Borsa
Sala or SALA may refer to:
Places Europe
* Sala, the historical name of the river IJssel and home of the Salii Franks
* Sala (Estonian island), one of the Uhtju islands
* Sala Baganza, a municipality in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
* Sala Bolognese, a ...
, the city's stock exchange
A stock exchange, securities exchange, or bourse is an exchange where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities, such as shares of stock, bonds and other financial instruments. Stock exchanges may also provide facilities for th ...
, readjusted in the evening for basketball matches. This unusual venue became the hallmark of a new Italian basketball season, compared to the worldwide famous Boston Garden. In July 1945, Virtus, led by Achille Canna
Achille Canna (born 24 July 1932) is a retired Italian basketball player. He was part of the Italian team that finished 17th and fourth at the 1952 and 1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics ( it, Giochi Olimpici estivi del 1960), offi ...
, Luigi Rapini
Luigi Rapini (21 July 1924 – 18 September 2013) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics and the 1952 Summer Olympics.
References
External links
*
1924 births
2013 deat ...
and Antonio Calebotta
Antonio Calebotta (30 June 1930 – 23 February 2002) was an Italian basketball player. He was part of the Italian team that finished fourth at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
References
1930 births
2002 deaths
Olympic basketball players of ...
, won its first national Serie A title, defeating 35–31 Reyer Venezia in the final.
In the following season, Renzo Poluzzi became the new head coach and led Virtus to its second championship. Under Poluzzi, Virtus won the title again in 1948 and 1949, achieving the so-called "four-peat". In 1949–50 season, the Black V arrived second after Olimpia Milano; during these years, the long-time rivalry with Olimpia, known as "derby of Italy", began. Olimpia won the title for the next four years too, while the Black V placed second in 1952 and 1953. In 1954, Vittorio Tracuzzi
Vittorio Tracuzzi (2 January 1923 – 21 October 1986) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
References
External links
*
1923 births
1986 deaths
Italian men's basketb ...
was appointed new head coach; Tracuzzi was a Virtus player too, acting as a " player-coach". At the end of the season, Tracuzzi led Virtus to its fifth national title. The team doubled the next season, achieving a so-called "back-to-back". During the 1950s the first derbies were played against Gira and Moto Morini, the other two teams of Bologna.
Due to the increasing fame of Virtus, the Sala Borsa was no longer suitable for hosting games; so in 1956, the long-time Mayor of Bologna
The Mayor of Bologna is an elected politician who, along with the Bologna’s City Council, is accountable for the strategic government of Bologna, the regional capital of Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Overview
According to the Italian Constitution, th ...
, Giuseppe Dozza
Giuseppe Dozza (29 November 1901 – 28 December 1974) was an Italian politician, the first Mayor of Bologna after the end of World War II.
Biography The resistance
One of the founders of the Communist Party of Italy, Dozza was immediately pe ...
, inaugurated a new arena, which was simply known as "Sports Hall" and had a seating capacity of more than 7,000 people.Champions Cup 1965–66/ref> The arena was later nicknamed ''Il Madison'', after New York's
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as The Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd Street, above Pennsylva ...
and, in 1966, after Dozza's retirement from politics, it was renamed " PalaDozza". From 1956 to 1960, Virtus placed second, always behind its arch-rival Olimpia Milan. At the end of the 1959–60 season, Tracuzzi left Virtus after having won two championships in five seasons, with a winning record of 108–22, being widely considered one of Black V's greatest coaches of all time.
1960–1968: Post-dynasty struggles
In 1960, the Spanish coach, Eduardo Kucharski, succeeded Tracuzzi at the head of the team. Virtus, led by its best player Gianfranco Lombardi, took part in its first European Champions Cup, but it was ousted by CCA Bucarest in the second round. At the end of the Italian regular season, the Black V placed second again, behindIgnis Varese
Pallacanestro Varese, also called by its current sponsor's name, the Openjobmetis Varese, is an Italian professional basketball club based in Varese, Lombardy. Founded in 1945, the team plays in the Italian first division LBA.
For past club sp ...
.
In 1962 and 1963 Virtus arrived third and Kucharski was sacked, while Mario Alesini
Mario Alesini (17 December 1931 – 2 August 2001) was an Italian basketball player. He was part of the Italian team that finished fourth at the 1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics ( it, Giochi Olimpici estivi del 1960), officially k ...
, a former Virtus player, became the new head coach. However, in the next three seasons, Alesini did not reach to bring back the title to Bologna. In 1966, Jaroslav Šíp
Jaroslav Šíp (24 November 1930 – 6 November 2014) was a Czech basketball player and coach. He was voted to the Czechoslovakian 20th Century Team in 2001.
Playing career Club career
During his club playing career, Šíp won five Czecho ...
was hired as new head coach, but Virtus never became a real contender for the championship, with Olimpia and Ignis which alternatively won the title until 1968.
1968–1991: The Porelli era
The 1960s had been an unfortunate decade for Virtus. The turning point occurred in 1968, when the lawyer Gianluigi Porelli was appointed by the then president of the multi-sport club, Giovanni Elkan, at the head of the basketball section. Alternately nicknamed "Torquemada Torquemada may refer to:
People
* Juan de Torquemada (cardinal) (1388–1468), Spanish cardinal and ecclesiastical writer
* Tomás de Torquemada (1420–1498), prominent leader of the Spanish Inquisition
* Antonio de Torquemada (c. 1507– ...
" or "Robespierre
Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre (; 6 May 1758 – 28 July 1794) was a French lawyer and statesman who became one of the best-known, influential and controversial figures of the French Revolution. As a member of the Esta ...
" for his quick and often dictatorial methods, or, more frequently, ''L'Avvocato'' ("The Lawyer"), Porelli has been one of the most prominent figures in the history of Virtus which, through initiatives often unpopular but almost always winning, definitively carried towards professionalism.
1968–1973: Rebuilding
As soon as he arrived, at only 38 years old, Porelli sacked coach Šíp and appointedRenzo Ranuzzi
Renzo Ranuzzi (15 July 1924 – 16 March 2014) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics and the 1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics ( fi, Kesäolympialaiset 1952; sv, Ol ...
, a former player. However, Ranuzzi lasted one year only, due to the poor result of the team, which ended the season at the 10th place. After another poor result in the 1969–70 season under coach Nello Paratore, in 1970, Porelli hired Black V's legendary coach Vittorio Tracuzzi and sold the best player of the time, Gianfranco Lombardi, unleashing a popular uprising that even ended up in court. Despite Tracuzzi's comeback, the team placed 10th once again. In 1970, thanks to Porelli, Virtus was also one of the main proponents and founders of the Lega Basket, the governing body of the top-tier level professional Italian basketball league.
In the same year, Virtus broke away from the multi sports club, becoming a joint-stock company
A joint-stock company is a business entity in which shares of the company's capital stock, stock can be bought and sold by shareholders. Each shareholder owns company stock in proportion, evidenced by their share (finance), shares (certificates ...
. Thanks to this choice, which was highly criticised at the time, Porelli definitively healed the club's finances. In 1971, Porelli hired the American player John Fultz who, supported by important Italian players like Gianni Bertolotti
Gianni Bertolotti (born 12 February 1950) is a retired Italian professional basketball player.
Professional career
During his club career, Bertolotti was the FIBA Saporta Cup Finals Top Scorer, in 1978.
Italian national team
As a member of the ...
and Luigi Serafini, succeeded in placing the team 5th in the national championship, the best result since 1967–68. In the following season, the team, composed by the same players and coached by Nico Messina, arrived 6th.
1973–1978: Peterson's revolution
In 1973, Porelli opened a new season of triumphs, thanks to a partnership with Sinudyne, a famous Italiandomestic appliance
A major appliance, also known as a large domestic appliance or large electric appliance or simply a large appliance, large domestic, or large electric, is a non-portable or semi-portable machine used for routine housekeeping tasks such as cook ...
s company, and especially with the engagement of the young American coach Dan Peterson, coming from the Chile's national basketball team
The Chile national basketball team is controlled by the Federación de Básquetbol de Chile. It is affiliated to FIBA, under the zone confederation of FIBA Americas.
In the 1950s, Chile had one of the finest national basketball teams in the worl ...
. Virtus immediately won its first Italian Cup
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
in 1973–74 season, which was club's first title since 1955–56.
In the following season, Virtus signed Tom McMillen, a 22-years-old player from Maryland University, who was selected with the 9th overall pick by the Buffalo Braves during the 1974 NBA draft
The 1974 NBA draft was the 28th annual NBA Draft, draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 28, 1974, before the 1974–75 NBA season, 1974–75 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur ...
. He signed with the Braves but postponed his entry into the NBA to attend the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar
The Rhodes Scholarship is an international postgraduate award for students to study at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom.
Established in 1902, it is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world. It is considered among the world' ...
. McMillen lived and studied in the UK, but he moved to Bologna during the weekends to play basketball. At the end of the season, characterized by outstanding performances by McMillen, the team placed 4th in the national championship and was eliminated at the quarterfinals of the European Cup Winners' Cup.
In 1975, McMillen started his career in the NBA, so Porelli and Peterson signed Terry Driscoll
Edward Cuthbert "Terry" Driscoll, Jr. (born August 28, 1947) is a former American college athletics administrator and professional basketball player. Until 2017, he served as athletic director at the College of William & Mary.
College career
Dri ...
, a former NBA player and 4th overall pick in 1969 draft. Thanks to Driscoll's leadership and the fundamental support of Italian players like Carlo Caglieris
Carlo Caglieris (born 2 July 1951) is an Italian former basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Caglieris is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian point guards of his generation, having won th ...
, Gianni Bertolotti
Gianni Bertolotti (born 12 February 1950) is a retired Italian professional basketball player.
Professional career
During his club career, Bertolotti was the FIBA Saporta Cup Finals Top Scorer, in 1978.
Italian national team
As a member of the ...
, Marco Bonamico
Marco Bonamico (born 18 January 1957 in Genoa) is a former professional basketball player from Italy. At a height of 2.01 m (6'7") tall, he played at the small forward and power forward positions. During his playing career, his nickname was, "il ...
and Luigi Serafini, Virtus won its seventh national championship, the first one after twenty years.
In 1976–77, Virtus ended first in the regular season, however it lost the championship finals against Varese, by 2–0. In the following season, the Black V succeeded in reaching the national finals, but nonetheless it lost 2–1 against Varese again. The team also reached the final of the Cup Winner's Cup, but lost 84–82 against Gabetti Cantù
Pierino Gabetti (22 May 1904 – 28 February 1971) was an Italian weightlifter who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics, in the 1928 Summer Olympics, and in the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Biography
He was born in Sestri Ponente. Gabetti won a gold m ...
.
In 1978, after two consecutive second places, coach Peterson left the Black V to sign with Virtus historic rival, Olimpia Milan. This move was heavily criticised by Black V's fans, but it was approved by Porelli himself. However, despite the controversies which rose around his farewell, Peterson's legacy was huge: the American coach deeply changed the team's organization and contributed in bringing back Virtus to the top of Italian basketball after twenty years of struggles.
1978–1980: Driscoll's back-to-back
After Peterson's departure, Terry Driscoll was appointed new head coach. Porelli signed also Krešimir Ćosić, one of the best centers in Europe; the team was also composed by great Italian players as Renato Villalta
Renato Villalta (born 3 February 1955 in Maserada sul Piave, province of Treviso) is a former professional basketball player from Italy. At a height of 2.04 m (6'8 ") tall, and a weight of 102 kg (225 lbs), he played at the power forwa ...
, Carlo Caglieris
Carlo Caglieris (born 2 July 1951) is an Italian former basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Caglieris is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian point guards of his generation, having won th ...
and the captain Gianni Bertolotti
Gianni Bertolotti (born 12 February 1950) is a retired Italian professional basketball player.
Professional career
During his club career, Bertolotti was the FIBA Saporta Cup Finals Top Scorer, in 1978.
Italian national team
As a member of the ...
. In the national finals, Virtus faced its former coach, Dan Peterson and his new team, Olimpia. Despite the great expectations around a hard-fought final, the Black V easily won the title in only two games. The team also reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup, where it was eliminated for only one point by the Dutch EBBC.
In the following season, Porelli signed Jim McMillian, a 1972 NBA champion
The National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals is the championship series for the NBA held at the conclusion of its postseason. All Finals have been played in a best-of-seven format, and are contested between the winners of the Eastern Con ...
with the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers play their ...
. McMillian, who was immediately nicknamed by Virtus fans as ''Il Duca Nero'' ("The Black Duke"), led the team achieving a back-to-back, winning its ninth titles against Cantù. The team took part also in the European Champions Cup, where it was eliminated in the semi-finals group stage.
At the end of the season, Driscoll’s two year contract had expired. Porelli and Driscoll could not agree on a contract. Despite Driscoll’s great successes, first as player, one championship, and two championships as a coach in five years, when no agreement was reached, Driscoll chose to return to retire from basketball.
1980–1988: Champions Cup Final and 10th title
At the beginning of the 1980–81 season, Driscoll's assistant, Ettore Zuccheri, became the new head coach, but he was later replaced by Renzo Ranuzzi
Renzo Ranuzzi (15 July 1924 – 16 March 2014) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics and the 1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics ( fi, Kesäolympialaiset 1952; sv, Ol ...
. The team reached once again the national finals, but it slightly lost the playoff series by 2–1 against Cantù. Returning to the top in Italy, the Black V attempted to become a major team in Europe too, and in 1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
, Virtus reached the final of the FIBA European Champions Cup in Strasbourg
Strasbourg (, , ; german: Straßburg ; gsw, label=Bas Rhin Alsatian, Strossburi , gsw, label=Haut Rhin Alsatian, Strossburig ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the Eu ...
. However, a few days before the final, McMillian suffered a serious injury against Brindisi and was forced not to play in the final, which then Virtus lost by only one point against Maccabi Tel Aviv, after a very contested game and dubious referees' choices.
After the defeat in the Cup, Porelli sacked Ranuzzi and hired coach Aleksandar Nikolić, worldwide known as "The Professor". The team was composed also by young and talented Italian players like Roberto Brunamonti
Roberto Brunamonti (born 14 April 1959 in Spoleto) is a retired Italian professional basketball player and coach. At a height of 191 cm (6'3") tall, he played at the point guard position. He was among the 105 player nominees for the 50 Grea ...
and Augusto Binelli
Augusto "Gus" Binelli (born 23 September 1964) is a retired Italian professional basketball player and coach. At a height of tall, and a weight of , he played at the center position. Binelli was drafted in the second round, of the 1986 NBA dra ...
, as well as important foreign players, like the Bahamian center Elvis Rolle
Elvis Rolle (born February 8, 1958) is a Bahamian former professional basketball player.
Rolle played college basketball for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles for two seasons before he transferred to play for the Florida State Seminoles during his f ...
. Despite his fame, Nikolić did not succeed in bringing Virtus back to title, so in 1983, after the brief experiences of George Bisacca and Mauro Di Vincenzo, the 35 years-old Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
, from Bologna, became the new head coach. In the same years, the club signed a deal with Granarolo, a milk and dairy production company, which became the new team's sponsor. Virtus ended the regular season second, after Peterson's Olimpia. The two teams faced themselves in a historic final, always remembered as one of the best in Italian basketball history, in which Virtus defeated Olimpia by 2–1, reaching its 10th national title, also known as ''La Stella'' ("The Star"), due to the star which is attributed to teams that manage to win ten national championships. In the same year, the team completed a domestic double by adding a National Cup.
In 1984–85, Virtus reached the semi-final group stage of the Champions Cup, where, however, it was eliminated. After a defeat in the playoffs' quarterfinals against Olimpia, Bucci was sacked and Sandro Gamba
Alessandro "Sandro" Gamba (born 3 June 1932) is an Italian former professional basketball player and coach. Gamba was a finalist for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, and was elected as a member in 2006. He ...
became the new coach. Gamba, one of the most successful Italian coaches of all time, did not succeed in winning with Virtus too, exiting in the first round of 1986 playoffs and being eliminated in the quarterfinals of 1987 playoffs. In 1988, Krešimir Ćosić, a former Virtus star, replaced Gamba. Despite the head coach's change, the team continued collecting poor successes, being ousted in the Korać Cup's quarterfinals and in the first round of national playoffs.
1988–1991: The "Sugar-mania"
In 1988, Porelli hired Bob Hill, who was New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...
' head coach until the previous season. Hill brought in Italy two former NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United St ...
players: Micheal Ray Richardson, an NBA All-Star and former player for the Knicks and New Jersey Nets, who was banned from the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United St ...
for violations of league's drug policy, and Clemon Johnson
Clemon James Johnson Jr. (born September 12, 1956) is an American retired professional basketball player and the former head basketball coach at Florida A&M. Johnson was a 6'10", center who played 761 games for four teams during his 10 seasons in ...
, 1983 NBA champion with the Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers, colloquially known as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eas ...
, who also played for the Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first esta ...
and Seattle SuperSonics.Cook: Senior class Pitt's Johnson refuses to pout, becomes leader''post-gazette.com'' published 14 February 2002 At the beginning of the season, Porelli reached an agreement with Knorr, a German food and beverage brand, which became the team's sponsor. In 1988–89 Virtus won its third Italian Cup, but it was defeated in the semi-finals for the national championship against Enichem Livorno, coached by Bucci. Despite the playoffs' elimination, the season was considered a rebirth for Virtus: the national cup was the team's first trophy since 1984 and the great performances of Richardson had brought back the passion for basketball in the city. This period became known as "Sugar-mania", from Richardson's historic nickname. In the following summer, Hill surprisingly resigned from his post and his assistant, the 30 years-old Ettore Messina, was appointed new head coach. The Black V won the Italian Cup again and on 13 March 1990, won its first European title, the
FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup
The FIBA Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European-wide professional club basketball competition, where the domestic National Cup winners, from all over Europe, played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA E ...
, the second-tier level European-wide competition, defeating 79–74 the Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (, meaning ''Royal Madrid Football Club''), commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid.
Founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the club has traditionally wor ...
coached by George Karl. The final was characterized by an outstanding performance of Richardson, able of scoring 29 points. However, the team was once again eliminated in national playoffs' quarterfinals against Phonola Caserta.
In 1990–91, Virtus placed third in the regular season but it was once again eliminated in the national semi-finals by Caserta. At the end of the season, Richardson was not confirmed and signed for Slobodna Dalmacija, putting an end to a three-year period in which he brought Virtus to win its first European trophy and laid the foundations for club's successes in the following years.
In 1991, after two years of internal struggles within the shareholders' assembly, during which he also briefly lost the control of the club, Porelli sold Virtus to Alfredo Cazzola, a local trade fair entrepreneur. During 23 years of tenure, Porelli won four national titles, four Italian Cups and one Cup Winner's Cup, transforming a simple basketball section of a multisport club into one of the richest and most successful teams in Europe.
1991–2000: The Cazzola era
As president, Cazzola brought to Virtus an entrepreneurial mentality, which would be necessary in the team's future growth. In the 1991–92 season, the Black V, led by captain Brunamonti and Jure Zdovc, reached the national semi-finals, but lost against Scavolini Pesaro, which had already eliminated Virtus in the national cup few months before. The team also lost againstPartizan Partizan may refer to:
Sport
* JSD Partizan, a sports society from Belgrade, Serbia, which includes the following clubs:
**AK Partizan, athletics
** Biciklistički Klub Partizan, cycling
** Džudo Klub Partizan, judo
**FK Partizan, association fo ...
in the FIBA European League quarterfinals.
1992–1995: Danilović's three-peat
In the summer of 1992, Cazzola signed Predrag Danilović, a young Yugoslav player who won the latest FIBA European League with Partizan. Under the strong leadership of Danilović and the important support of Brunamonti, Claudio Coldebella
Claudio Coldebella (born 25 June 1968) is an Italian former professional basketball player.
Playing as point guard, he had a successful club career in Italy, where he won three Italian LBA titles, and Greece, where he reached a EuroLeague Final, ...
, Paolo Moretti
Paolo Moretti (born 30 June 1970 in Arezzo) is a former professional basketball player, and current basketball coach from Italy, who won the silver medal with his national team at the Eurobasket 1997 in Spain. Standing at a height of 2,00 m ...
, Augusto Binelli
Augusto "Gus" Binelli (born 23 September 1964) is a retired Italian professional basketball player and coach. At a height of tall, and a weight of , he played at the center position. Binelli was drafted in the second round, of the 1986 NBA dra ...
and Bill Wennington
William Percey Wennington (born April 26, 1963) is a Canadian former professional basketball player who won three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships with the Chicago Bulls. A center, he represented Canada in the 1984 Olympics and ...
, the team, coached by Ettore Messina, won its eleventh national championship, defeating 3–0 the Benetton Treviso. However the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the FIBA European League by Real Madrid Teka.
In the following season, Messina became the new coach of Italy's national basketball team
The Italy men's national basketball team ( it, Nazionale di pallacanestro dell'Italia) represents Italy in international basketball tournaments. They are administered by the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP).
Italy has qualified for 38 EuroBa ...
and Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
, returned to coach Virtus, with whom he had won a national championship in 1984. The team was completed with Cliff Levingston
Clifford Eugene Levingston (born January 4, 1961) is an American professional basketball coach and former player.
Professional playing career
A former power forward, Levingston played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Levingston st ...
, two-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls. In the same year, Cazzola signed a deal with Buckler Beer, a brand of Heineken, which became the new sponsor of the team. In October 1993, Virtus took part to the McDonald's Open
The McDonald's Championship (sometimes called the McDonald's Open) was an international men's professional basketball club cup competition that featured a representative of the National Basketball Association (representing North America) agains ...
in Munich, where it arrived second, after the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Suns are the only team in t ...
. In May 1994, Virtus won its second consecutive national title, defeating 3–2 Scavolini Pesaro, after a very contested final. Once again, the Black V was ousted during the FIBA European League quarterfinals by Olympiacos
Olympiacós Sýndesmos Filáthlon Peiraiós ( el, Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς, Olympic Club of Fans of Piraeus) is a major multi-sport club based in Piraeus, Greece. Olympiacos is parent to a number ...
.
In the 1994–95 season, Joe Binion
Joe Binion (born March 26, 1961) is a retired American professional basketball player.
College career
Born in Rochester, New York, Binion played college basketball with the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Professional ...
replaced Levingston, while the rest of the team remained untouched. In May 1995, Virtus won its 13th title, defeating 3–0 Benetton Treviso, accomplishing a so-called " three-peat". However, for the third consecutive times, the team which dominated the Italian league was eliminated at the FIBA European League quarterfinals, this time by Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos ( el, Παναθηναϊκός Αθλητικός Όμιλος, literally in English: "Panathenaic Athletic Club" or Panathinaikos A.C.), also known simply as Panathinaikós , is a major Greek multi-sport club ba ...
.
1995–1997: Transition years and Brunamonti's retirement
After the three-peat, Danilović left Virtus for the Miami Heat. Cazzola signed Arijan Komazec, a Croatian guard-forward, and Orlando Woolridge, a long-time NBA player; while young Italian players likeAlessandro Abbio
Alessandro Abbio (born 13 March 1971 in Racconigi, Province of Cuneo) is an Italian former professional basketball player.
Professional career
Abbio was the MVP of the Italian SuperCup in 1998, and he also won the Euroleague twice; in 1997– ...
became increasingly important. In September 1995, Virtus won its first Italian Supercup against Benetton Treviso; while in October, the Black V participated in the McDonald's Championship, arriving second after the Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its ho ...
. The team ended the regular season in first place, but he was eventually eliminated by Stefanel Milano
Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano, commonly known as Olimpia Milano or as EA7 Emporio Armani Milan after its title sponsor, is an LBA Italian professional basketball team, based in Milan, Italy. Its colors are white and red, and the team is sometimes ...
in the playoffs' semi-finals. Moreover, the team did not succeed in passing the second group stage of the Champions Cup.
In 1996, captain Roberto Brunamonti retired from basketball after 14 seasons as a Virtus player. During the summer, the club signed important international players like Zoran Savić from Real Madrid Teka and Branislav Prelević from PAOK. Moreover, Kinder, a product brand line of Italian confectionery multinational Ferrero SpA, became the new sponsor of Virtus. On 8 March 1997, coach Bucci was replaced by Lino Frattin, who after a few days, won Black V's fifth Italian Cup against Cantù. The team was eliminated by Stefanel Milano
Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano, commonly known as Olimpia Milano or as EA7 Emporio Armani Milan after its title sponsor, is an LBA Italian professional basketball team, based in Milan, Italy. Its colors are white and red, and the team is sometimes ...
in the Top 16 of the FIBA EuroLeague, the former Champions Cup. In the national playoffs, Virtus was eliminated in the semi-finals by the other Bologna's team, Teamsystem, which, after years of poor results, was becoming increasingly competitive.
1997–2000: Danilović's comeback and the first EuroLeague
In 1997, Roberto Brunamonti became team's general manager, while coach Messina and Sasha Danilović returned to Virtus and the team was completed with important international players like Radoslav Nesterovič
Radoslav () is a common Slavic masculine given name, derived from ''rad-'' ("happy, eager, to care") and ''slava'' ("glory, fame"), both very common in Slavic dithematic names. It roughly means "eager glory". It is known since the Middle Ages. Th ...
, Antoine Rigaudeau, Hugo Sconochini and Alessandro Frosini
Alessandro Frosini (born 22 September 1972) is an Italian former professional basketball player. He was also a member of the Italian national basketball team.PalaMalaguti
Unipol Arena (previously known as Futurshow Station, PalaMalaguti and originally Palasport Casalecchio) is an indoor sporting arena located in Casalecchio di Reno, Province of Bologna, Italy. The seating capacity of the arena for basketball game ...
, an indoor sporting arena in Casalecchio di Reno
Casalecchio di Reno ( Bolognese: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy.
History
Casalecchio's name is derived from ''Casaliculum'' ("collection of little houses"), and from the presence of ...
with a seating capacity of more than 8,000 people, leaving PalaDozza after almost 40 years.
On 23 April 1998, Virtus won its first EuroLeague, defeating 58–44 AEK
A.E.K ( el, AEK , formally Αθλητική Ένωσις Κωνσταντινουπόλεως; Athlitikí Énosis Konstantinoupόleos, ''Athletic Union of Constantinople''), known as A.E.K, is a major Greek multi-sport club based in Nea Filadelf ...
in Barcelona, with Savić elected MVP of the Final Four. While on 31 May, Virtus conquered its 14th national title, defeating in Game 5 of the final, Teamsystem Bologna
Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna 103, commonly known as Fortitudo Bologna and currently known as Fortitudo Kiğılı Bologna for sponsorship reasons, is a basketball club based in Bologna, Italy and currently plays in the second division.
Histor ...
. At twenty seconds from the end of the game, with Fortitudo leading by 4, Danilović scored a three-point shot and at the same time suffered a foul by Dominique Wilkins, completing the so-called "four-point shot". Then Virtus won the match in the overtime. The 1998 final between Virtus and Fortiudo is widely considered as the greatest one in the history of Italian basketball, with two teams from the same city, which were among the best ones in the continent. During this period, Bologna was nicknamed "Basket City", due to the fame and the victories of town's two teams.
In the following season, Virtus won its 7th Italian Cup in January 1999. The team also defeated Fortitudo 57–62 in a historic EuroLeague's semi-final in Munich, but it lost 82–74 in the final against Žalgiris of Tyus Edney and was eliminated in the semi-finals for the national championship by Treviso. In 1999–2000 season, the Black V lost the Italian Cup final against Treviso and was defeated 83–76 by AEK, in the FIBA Saporta Cup's final in Lausanne. Moreover, Virtus was once again eliminated by Treviso, in the semi-finals for the national championship.
In May 2000, Cazzola sold Virtus to Marco Madrigali, a video game entrepreneur, who became the new president of the club. Under Cazzola's presidency, Virtus lived a period which became known as its " Golden Age", in which the Black V won four national titles, two Italian Cups and a EuroLeague, becoming one of the most notable and successful teams in Europe.
2000–2003: The Madrigali era
2000–2002: Ginóbili's rise and the second EuroLeague
In the 2000–01 season, Madrigali and Brunamonti signed important players, like Marko Jarić, Manu Ginóbili, Matjaž Smodiš, Rashard Griffith and David Andersen; while at the beginning of the season, Sasha Danilović suddenly announced his retirement from basketball. The absence of a strong leader like Danilović and the subsequent ban for doping of another historic player like Hugo Sconochini, forced every single player of the team to take more responsibility, but at the same time opened spaces to the immature and talented newcomers, free to show their abilities and experience at a high level.
After a tough beginning, the season had a turning point during the Christmas derby against Fortitudo, which was soundly won by the Black V by 99–62. From then, Virtus started an outstanding season, characterized by an unrepeatable group capable of beating every record and becoming one of the strongest European teams of all time and, according to many, the strongest ever. On 28 April 2001, Virtus won its seventh Italian Cup against Pesaro, while on 10 May, the Black V won its second EuroLeague, defeating 3–2 Tau Cerámica
Club Deportivo Saski-Baskonia, S.A.D., commonly known as Saski Baskonia (), also known as Cazoo Baskonia for sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team that is based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. The team plays in the Liga ACB and the ...
, in the first and only series in the history of EuroLeague finals. Manu Ginóbili was elected Finals MVP. On 19 June, Virtus won its 15th national championship, beating Paf Wennington Bologna 3–0, while Ginobili was elected Italian League MVP too.Manu Ginoboli Info Page – Bio, nba.com. Retrieved 17 June 2007. After the double in 1997–98, in 2000–01 season, Virtus completed a so-called Triple Crown (known in Italy as ''Grande Slam''), winning all the trophies that it could won. In the following season, Virtus won its 8th Italian Cup, but after some defeats Madrigali fired Messina. However, after a field invasion by Virtus supporters before a match against
Pallacanestro Trieste
Pallacanestro Trieste 2004 is an Italian professional basketball club based in Trieste. They play in the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) since the 2018–19 season. The Allianz Dome serves as the club's home arena.
History
A number of Trieste teams h ...
, Madrigali was forced to re-hire him. Despite this, the team lost 89–83 the EuroLeague final, which was held in PalaMalaguti, against Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos ( el, Παναθηναϊκός Αθλητικός Όμιλος, literally in English: "Panathenaic Athletic Club" or Panathinaikos A.C.), also known simply as Panathinaikós , is a major Greek multi-sport club ba ...
of Dejan Bodiroga and Željko Obradović
Želimir "Željko" Obradović ( sr-cyr, Желимир "Жељко" Обрадовић, ; born 9 March 1960) is a Serbian professional basketball coach and former player who is currently the head coach for KK Partizan, Partizan of the ABA League, ...
, and was eliminated in the semi-finals for the national championship by Benetton Treviso.
2002–2003: Financial problems and interdiction
In 2003, Ginóbili moved to the NBA, where he played for the San Antonio Spurs, and Ettore Messina was hired by Benetton, thus Bogdan Tanjević was appointed new head coach. During the summer, due to contrasts with Madrigali, Brunamonti also left the club, after nearly 20 years spent as player and general manager. After a soundly defeat in Fabriano, Tanjević was replaced by Valerio Bianchini, who failed in reaching the playoffs for the first time in Virtus history but succeeded in saving the team from relegation. However, suffering from serious financial problems, mainly caused by the failure of Madrigali's video game company CTO SpA, Virtus was excluded from the Serie A in August 2003, after missing payments to players, first of all the young SlovenianSani Bečirovič
Sani Bečirovič ( sh, Sani Bečirović, born 19 May 1981) is a Slovenian professional basketball coach, executive and former player, who is currently a sporting director for Cedevita Olimpija of the Slovenian League, ABA League and the EuroCup ...
.
2003–2013: The Sabatini era
The bankruptcy was avoided thanks to the intervention of a local trade fair entrepreneur, Claudio Sabatini, who transacted all the debts of the club, after agreements with creditors and took over the company from Madrigali. Sabatini acquired also the club Progresso Castelmaggiore, from a small town in Bologna's hinterland, which played in Serie A2 and sponsored the new team with FuturVirtus brand, guaranteeing, therefore, the continuity of the glorious name "Virtus" despite the exclusion from the championships.2003–2005: Promotion to Serie A
In 2003–04 season, Sabatini signed important former NBA players like Charles Smith,Vonteego Cummings
Vonteego Marfeek Cummings (born February 29, 1976) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Atenienses de Manatí of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) in Puerto Rico. A combo guard, he played in the National Basketb ...
and Rick Brunson
Rick may refer to:
People
*Rick (given name), a list of people with the given name
*Alan Rick (born 1976), Brazilian politician, journalist, pastor and television personality
*Johannes Rick (1869–1946), Austrian-born Brazilian priest and mycol ...
. The team was initially coached by Giampiero Ticchi, who was replaced in November by Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
, Black V's historic coach. Despite good premises, FuturVirtus did not reach the promotion in Serie A, losing 3–0 in the final series of playoffs from Aurora Jesi
Aurora Basket Jesi is an Italian professional basketball club based in Jesi.
It plays in the second division Serie A2 as of the 2015-16 season.
History
In 1965, Gianni Rossetti (a television journalist for RAI), Carlo Barchiesi (current presiden ...
.
During the summer of 2004 the club obtained the re-affiliation to the Italian Basketball Federation and the right to use the name "Virtus Pallacanestro" again. The team was completed, among others, with Corey Brewer, A.J. Guyton
Arthur James "A. J." Guyton (born February 12, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player and now basketball coach. He played college basketball for Indiana University.
Indiana University
Guyton chose to play basketball for the ...
and Bennett Davison
Bennett Davison (born November 21, 1975) is a retired American basketball player who played professionally for over ten years, including several seasons in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A. Davison is also known for his success as a college player, wh ...
and was coached by Giordano Consolini, who served as Messina's assistant for years. On 3 June 2005, Virtus returned to the top division, defeating 3–0 the Premiata Montegranaro
Sutor Basket Montegranaro, is an amateur Italian basketball club based in Montegranaro, Marche. It plays in the Promozione (7th division) as of June 2015.
It was formerly in the top division, with the 2013-14 season its last in Lega Basket Serie ...
.
2005–2009: National finals and return to Europe
In the 2005–06 season, Sabatini hired Zare Markovski
Zare Markovski ( mk, Заре Марковски; born October 28, 1960, in Skopje) is a Macedonian former professional basketball player and current assistant coach of Dinamo Sassari of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), and head coach of th ...
from Macedonia
Macedonia most commonly refers to:
* North Macedonia, a country in southeastern Europe, known until 2019 as the Republic of Macedonia
* Macedonia (ancient kingdom), a kingdom in Greek antiquity
* Macedonia (Greece), a traditional geographic reg ...
as new head coach and signed, among others, David Blu
David Blu (born David Bluthenthal; July 18, 1980) is an American–Israeli former professional basketball player, who spent 10 seasons playing in the EuroLeague. Standing at , he played at the small forward and power forward positions. He is co ...
thenthal, Dušan Vukčević
Dušan Vukčević (Serbian Cyrillic: Душан Вукчевић; born November 14, 1975) is a retired Serbian professional basketball player who currently serves as an assistant coach for Peristeri of the Greek Basket League and the Basketball Cha ...
and Christian Drejer
Johan Christian Drejer (born 8 December 1982) is a retired Danish professional basketball player who in March 2008 was released from his contract with Virtus Roma and is a former player of SISU Copenhagen, the Florida Gators, Winterthur FCB and V ...
. Despite a good season's start the team ended 9th, out of the playoffs.
After the end of the season, Bluthenthal, who was Black V's top scorer, went to Fortitudo, while Virtus confirmed Vukčević and Drejer, as well as coach Markovski. Moreover, Sabatini signed Travis Best
Travis Best (born July 12, 1972) is an American former professional basketball player, who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and in Europe.
High school career
Best attended Springfield Central High School, starring on teams tha ...
, a former NBA player for the Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first esta ...
, Brett Blizzard
Brett Alan Blizzard (born June 12, 1980) is an Italian-American basketball player. Originally of American nationality, Blizzard opted to acquire dual citizenship in Italy while playing overseas. He became eligible to play on Italy's national team ...
, Guilherme Giovannoni
Guilherme Giovannoni (born June 2, 1980) is a Brazilian former professional basketball player. He played at the power forward (basketball), power forward position for several clubs in Brazil and Europe. Currently, he is a commentator on the Natio ...
, Vlado Ilievski and Tyrone Grant
Tyrone Jeremy Grant (born January 24, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player of Barbadian descent. At a height of 2.02 m (6'7 ") tall, he played at the small forward and power forward positions. He was en explosive scorer and go ...
. The team reached the Italian Cup final, losing against Benetton Treviso and placed second in the regular season, qualifying for the playoffs after a five-year absence. Markovski's team reached the championship finals, but it was defeated 3–0 by Montepaschi Siena
Mens Sana 1871 Basket is an Italian professional basketball club based in Siena. It is a section of the sports club Polisportiva Mens Sana, founded in 1871.
Under the name Montepaschi Siena, derived from sponsor Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, t ...
. The Black V also reached the EuroCup semi-finals, where it was defeated by the Ukrainian team Azovmash Mariupol.
In the following summer, the team was suddenly reshaped and Markovski was fired by Sabatini, whose presidency was characterized by his fickle nature, which led him implementing unexpected and often unpopular choices. The president hired Stefano Pillastrini as new head coach and signed, among others, Alan Anderson, Delonte Holland
Delonte Jermaine Holland (born March 2, 1982) is an American professional basketball player for who last played for Panteras de Miranda.
High school and college career
Born and raised in Greenbelt, Maryland, Holland attended high school at Eleano ...
, Dewarick Spencer and Roberto Chiacig. Virtus participated in the EuroLeague, but arrived last in the Group A, winning only two games out of 14. In January 2008, Pillastrini was fired and Renato Pasquali became the new coach; after few months Sabatini re-signed Travis Best, who led the team to the second consecutive Italian Cup final, lost against Avellino
Avellino () is a town and ''comune'', capital of the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is situated in a plain surrounded by mountains east of Naples and is an important hub on the road from Salerno to Benevento. ...
. However, Virtus ended the season at the 16th place.
In 2008–09 season, the team was completely renewed with prominent players like the former NBA player Earl Boykins
Earl Antoine Boykins (born June 2, 1976) is a former American professional basketball player. Standing at in height, he is the second-shortest player in NBA history behind Muggsy Bogues, who is tall. He was the head coach for the Douglas Cou ...
, Keith Langford
Andre Keith Langford (born September 15, 1983) is an American professional basketball player who last played for AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League. Standing at 6' 4" (1.93 m), he primarily plays at the shooting guard position. He played colle ...
, Sharrod Ford
Sharrod Victor Ford (born September 9, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player. He played briefly in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as in a variety of top leagues around the world.
Early years
Ford attended ...
and the re-sign of Dušan Vukčević. After few months, coach Pasquali was succeeded by Matteo Boniciolli
Matteo Boniciolli (born 18 April 1962) is an Italian basketball coach of APU Udine in the Italian Serie A2.
He has been a head coach since 1999, guiding several clubs in Italy and abroad to titles, also having taken charge of the Italian nati ...
. On 21 February, Virtus played its third consecutive Italian Cup final, which once again lost against Siena. On 26 April 2009, Virtus won the European third tier trophy, the EuroChallenge, against Cholet Basket, thanks to 21 points of the Final Four MVP Keith Langford. The team ended the regular season at the 5th place and was eliminated in the first round of national playoffs by Treviso. Boniciolli was immediately fired by president Sabatini and the team was reshaped again during summer.
2009–2013: Transition years
In the following season, Sabatini hired Lino Lardo as head coach and appointed Vukčević as team's captain. He also signed, among others, David Moss,Andre Collins
Andre Pierre Collins (born May 4, 1968) is a former American football outside linebacker who played ten seasons in the National Football League. He started in Super Bowl XXVI for the Washington Redskins. Collins currently serves as Director o ...
, Petteri Koponen and Viktor Sanikidze
Viktor Sanikidze (alternate spelling: Victor) (born April 1, 1986) is a Georgian politician, former professional basketball executive and former player. He played at both the small forward and power forward positions in his entire career.
Early ...
. Virtus lost its fourth consecutive Italian Cup final and ended the season 5th, being eliminated 3–2 in the first round of the playoffs by Cantù. In 2010–11, the team was completed with Giuseppe Poeta
Giuseppe "Peppe" Poeta (born September 12, 1985) is an Italian former professional basketball player. He played the point guard position.
Professional career
Poeta joined local club Pallacanestro Salerno in the lower divisions, playing 5 seasons ...
, Valerio Amoroso
Valerio Amoroso (born 26 September 1980) is an Italian professional basketball player who plays as power forward (basketball), power forward or center (basketball), center.
References
External links
Statistiche Nazionale
1980 births Livi ...
, 1980 births Livi ...
Jared Homan
Jared William Homan (born March 6, 1983) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Maccabi Ashdod of the Israeli Premier League. His natural position is power forward, but he is also an accomplished center.
Player profile
...
, as well as K.C. Rivers
Kelvin Creswell Rivers (born March 1, 1987) is an American professional basketball player for BC Samara of the VTB United League. Standing at , he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions.
High school career
Rivers attended high sc ...
from 2011. The Black V ended the regular season 8th and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Siena.
In 2011–2012, Sabatini hired Alessandro Finelli as new coach and signed important players like Chris Douglas-Roberts
Chris Douglas Roberts (born January 8, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis.
High school career
Douglas-Roberts played high school basketball at Cass Technical Hig ...
, a former NBA players, Terrell McIntyre and Angelo Gigli
Angelo Gigli (born June 4, 1983) is an Italian professional basketball player who plays for Basket Ferentino of the Italian Serie A2 Basket. He has also represented the Italy national basketball team, Italian national team internationally. Standi ...
. In late 2011, Sabatini sold Virtus to a foundation of local entrepreneurs, however, he remained as CEO and ''de facto'' general manager. At the end of the regular season, the Black V arrived 5th, being eliminated by Dinamo Sassari, in the first round of the playoffs. In the following season, Virtus signed, among others, Steven Smith, Richard Mason Rocca
Richard Mason Rocca (born November 6, 1977) is an American born Italian retired professional basketball player who played for the Italian National Basketball Team.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, his father is of Italian descent. He stands 203 cm ...
and Jacob Pullen
Jacob Everse Pullen (born November 10, 1989) is an American-Georgian professional basketball player for Kuwait SC of the Kuwaiti Division I Basketball League. He played for the Kansas State Wildcats. Pullen has both American and Georgian citizens ...
. During the season, Luca Bechi succeeded Finelli as new head coach. The team ended the season at the 14th place.
2013–2016: Struggles and relegation
After years of poor successes, Sabatini definitively exited from the club and in 2013,Renato Villalta
Renato Villalta (born 3 February 1955 in Maserada sul Piave, province of Treviso) is a former professional basketball player from Italy. At a height of 2.04 m (6'8 ") tall, and a weight of 102 kg (225 lbs), he played at the power forwa ...
, a former Virtus star, was appointed president. In 2013–14 season, Virtus signed, among others, Matt Waksh, Willie Warren
Willie D. Warren (born October 22, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for Al-Qurain SC of the Kuwaiti Division I Basketball League, Kuwait Basketball League. He played college basketball for Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball, Ok ...
and Shawn King
Shawn King (born June 24, 1972) is a former National Football League defensive end who played for the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. He is best remembered for his numerous suspensions due to violating the NFL's drug policy.
NFL car ...
. In January 2014, Bechi was sacked due to poor results, and Giorgio Valli became the new coach. However, the team arrived 13th, out of the playoffs.
In 2014–15 season, Virtus returned to the playoffs, thanks to an outstanding season of its top-scorers Allan Ray
Allan Nathaniel Ray (born June 17, 1984) is an American sports agent and former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for four years at Villanova University. He played one season ( 2006–07) with the Boston Celtics of the ...
, Jeremy Hazell
Jeremy Hazell (born March 25, 1986) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Victoria Libertas Pesaro of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played college basketball for Seton Hall.
College career
Hazell came to prominen ...
and Okaro White. However, it was eliminated in the first round by Olimpia Milan.
In the following year Villalta was abruptly removed from his post and Francesco Bertolini was appointed president by the foundation. After a few months, Bertolini was replaced too by Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
, the former Virtus coach, who won three national titles with the Black V between 1980s and 1990s. However, the season was characterized by a serious injury to team captain, Allan Ray, and the substitute players signed by the club failed to adequately replace the injured top-player. On 4 May 2016, at the end of the regular season the team ranked 16th and last, therefore it was relegated to Serie A2 for the first time in its history.
2016–present: The Zanetti era
2016–2019: Promotion and Champions League
In the following summer, president Bucci announced Alessandro Ramagli
Alessandro Ramagli (born 1 April 1964) is an Italian professional basketball coach. Ramagli has coached multiple teams in Italy since 1996. He is current head coach of for Scaligera Verona of the LBA.
Coaching career
Alessandro Ramagli began to ...
as new head coach of Virtus. The club built a good team for the league, led by important players such as Guido Rosselli
Guido Rosselli (born May 25, 1983) is an Italian professional basketball player. He plays as shooting guard or small forward. He is currently playing with Scaligera Verona
Scaligera Basket Verona, known for sponsorship reasons as Tezenis Veron ...
, Klaudio Ndoja
Klaudio Ndoja (born May 18, 1985) is an Albanian-Italian professional basketball player. He currently plays for Pallacanestro Forlì 2.015. He was a member of the Albania national team in 2012 for the EuroBasket 2013 qualifiers.
Achievements
;E ...
, Michael Umeh
Michael Umeh (born 18 September 1984) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player who last played for ESSM Le Portel of the French LNB Pro A. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria because both of his parents immigrated ...
and Kenny Lawson. During the season an important change in ownership occurred: the coffee entrepreneur and former politician, Massimo Zanetti, owner of Segafredo, who was also team's sponsor, became the majority shareholder of the club. Virtus ended second in the regular season behind Treviso and on 19 June 2017, won the playoffs, beating Trieste by 3–0, thus returning to the top series after only one year. During the playoffs, the Black V returned after more than twenty years to Bologna's historic arena, PalaDozza, which became the new official home court in the following season.
In summer 2017, the club signed two of the most prominent Italian players, Pietro Aradori
Pietro Aradori (born 9 December 1988) is an Italian professional basketball player for Fortitudo Bologna of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). Standing at , he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions.
Professional career
The Brescia n ...
and Alessandro Gentile
Alessandro Gentile (born November 12, 1992) is an Italian professional basketball player who plays for APU Udine, Udine of the Serie A2 (basketball), Serie A2. Standing at 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in), he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positi ...
, as well as two international players like Marcus Slaughter
Marcus Anthony Slaughter (born March 18, 1985) is an American professional basketball player who last played for AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League and the Basketball Champions League. Standing at , he plays at the center position. He completed ...
and Oliver Lafayette
Oliver Lafayette (born May 6, 1984) is an American-born Croatian former professional basketball player. Standing at , he plays at the point guard and shooting guard positions.
High school and college career
Lafayette attended Capitol High School i ...
. Despite good premises, the team was eliminated in the first round of Italian Cup's Final Eight and failed to qualify for the championship playoffs.
The 2018–19 season began with the appointment of Alessandro Dalla Salda as new club's CEO and the hire of Stefano Sacripanti
Stefano "Pino" Sacripanti (born 15 May 1970 in Cantù, Italy) is an Italian professional basketball coach.
Coaching career
He is the coach of the Italian men's national under-20 basketball team since 2006, and led them to the bronze medal at t ...
as new head coach. Aradori and Filippo Baldi Rossi
Filippo Baldi Rossi (born October 26, 1991) is an Italian professional basketball player for Pallacanestro Reggiana of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). Standing at 2.07 m (6 ft. 9 in.), he plays at the Power forward and center positions ...
were confirmed and the club signed, among others, Tony Taylor, Kevin Punter
Kevin Xavier Punter Jr. ( sr-cyrl, Кевин Ксавијер Пантер Џуниор; born June 25, 1993) is an American-born naturalized Serbian professional basketball player for KK Partizan, Partizan Belgrade of the Serbian Basketball Leag ...
, Amath M'Baye
Amadou-Amath M'Baye (born 14 December 1989) is a French professional basketball player for Anadolu Efes of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL) and EuroLeague. Standing at , he plays at the power forward position.
Career
In the first two years as an ...
and Brian Qvale
Brian Arthur Qvale ( ; born November 3, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya of the Japan - B2 League. He played college basketball for the University of Montana before moving to Eu ...
, to participate in the Basketball Champions League, which was Virtus's first European competition after ten years. The team reached a record of seven wins in the first seven games of the continental competition, which had never been achieved before. In March 2019, the team signed Mario Chalmers
Almario Vernard "Mario" Chalmers (born May 19, 1986) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League. He was selected as the 34th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Minnesota ...
, two-time NBA champion
The National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals is the championship series for the NBA held at the conclusion of its postseason. All Finals have been played in a best-of-seven format, and are contested between the winners of the Eastern Con ...
with the Miami Heat. On 9 March, president Alberto Bucci died at 70 years old, due to complications from a cancer. On 11 March, after a defeat against Cantù
Cantù (; Brianzöö: ) is a city and ''comune'' in the Province of Como, located at the center of the Brianza zone in Lombardy. It is the second largest city in Brianza.
History
The name could stem from that of the Canturigi, a population of I ...
and with Virtus temporarily out of playoffs, the team board sacked Sacripanti and appointed the Serbian Aleksandar Đorđević as new head coach. On 4 April, the Black V defeated Nanterre 92, reaching the BCL Final Four in Antwerp, which won on 5 May defeating Iberostar Tenerife
Club Cantera Base 1939 Canarias S.A.D., also known as Lenovo Tenerife for sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team that is based in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain. Domestically, the team plays in the top level league i ...
73–61, thanks to an outstanding game by Kevin Punter, who was able to score 26 points and was nominated Final Four MVP. The BCL was the fifth European title in team's history and the first one after ten years.
In July 2019, Virtus opened its women's basketball wing, to participate in the Serie A1 championship. In the same month, Giuseppe Sermasi, a local entrepreneur and former vice president, became Virtus new president, holding the vacant post after Bucci's death, while Luca Baraldi, a prominent manager of Segafredo, was appointed new CEO.
2019–present: Teodosić's years, the 16th title and the EuroCup
On 13 July, Virtus signed a three-year deal with Miloš Teodosić, 2016 EuroLeague champion and former NBA player, who was widely considered one of the best European point guard
The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the five Basketball positions, positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position. Point guards are expected to run t ...
of all time. In August, the Black V signed Kyle Weems
Kyle Jordan Weems (born August 23, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He played collegiately for Missouri State University and was named Missouri Valley Conf ...
, a small forward from Tofaş
Tofaş (acronym for ''Türk Otomobil Fabrikası Anonim Şirketi''; ''Turkish Automobile Factory Joint-Stock Company'' pronounced ) is a Turkish automobile manufacturer which was established in 1968 by Vehbi Koç, who was the founder of Koç Hold ...
, and Stefan Marković, a point guard from BC Khimki who, along with Teodosić, would become the backbone of the team in the following seasons. Among others, the club signed also Vince Hunter
Vincent Hunter (born August 5, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for UNICS Kazan of the VTB United League. He played college basketball for UTEP.
High school career
Hunter attended Consortium College Prep, in Detroit, Michigan, ...
, Julian Gamble
Julian Gamble (born September 15, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for Bnei Herzliya Basket, Bnei Herzliya in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He plays the Center (basketball), center position.
Professional career
After ...
and Giampaolo Ricci
Giampaolo Ricci (born September 27, 1991) is an Italian basketball professional player for Olimpia Milano of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He plays at the power forward position. Ricci has also represented the Italian ...
. In the 2019–20 season, Virtus played some home games, including the derby against Fortitudo won 94–62, at the Virtus Segafredo Arena
Virtus Segafredo Arena, simply known for sponsorship reasons as Segafredo Arena, is a temporary indoor arena located in Bologna, with a capacity of 9,980 seats, one of the largest of the country. The arena was opened in November 2019 and hosted so ...
, a temporary indoor arena with a capacity of nearly 10,000 seats, located in the Fiera District
The Fiera di Bologna is the business district of the city of Bologna, in central Italy. The area includes a trade exhibition centre and several office towers occupied by the regional government of Emilia-Romagna and various private companies.
Hi ...
.
On 7 April 2020, after more than a month of suspension, the Italian Basketball Federation officially ended the 2019–20 season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that severely hit Italy. Virtus ended the season first, with 18 wins and only 2 defeats, but the title was not assigned. On 5 May, the EuroLeague's commissioner Jordi Bertomeu
Jordi Bertomeu Orteu (born 15 January 1959) is a Spanish basketball administrator. He is the former President, Chairman, and CEO of Euroleague Basketball, which operates the professional European club competitions the EuroLeague and EuroCup.
B ...
announced the cancellation of the EuroCup season too. Virtus, which had achieved the league's playoffs, was confirmed for the following season.
After the early end of the season, the team was largely confirmed for the following championship and, in May and June, the club signed prominent Italian players, like Awudu Abass
Awudu Abass Abass (born 27 January 1993) is a naturalized Italian professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. Standing at , he plays at the small forward position.
Professional c ...
and Amedeo Tessitori
Amedeo Vittorio Tessitori (born 7 October 1994) is an Italian professional basketball player for Reyer Venezia of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the Italian National Basketball.
Professional career
Tessitori was raised in the youth t ...
, and homegrown ones, like Amar Alibegović
Amar Alibegović (born 31 March 1995) is a Bosnian professional basketball player for Çağdaş Bodrumspor of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He is the son of Teoman Alibegović, a former basketball player.
Professional career Virtus Roma (201 ...
. In September, Virtus hosted the Supercup
A super cup is a competition, usually but not exclusively in association football, which often forms the 'curtain raiser' to a season, and typically involves only two teams who have qualified through success in other competitions during the prev ...
's Final Four at the Segafredo Arena, but it lost against Olimpia Milan 75–68; the Supercup was the first competition since the cancellation of the previous season. In November 2020, Virtus signed a three-year deal with Marco Belinelli, from the San Antonio Spurs. Belinelli, one of the greatest Italian players of all time and 2014 NBA Champion, started his career with Virtus in the early 2000s. The season was also characterized by the emergence of Alessandro Pajola
Alessandro Pajola (born 9 November 1999) is an Italian professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He is also a member of the senior Italy men's national basketball team, Italian ...
, the young Italian point guard who became one team's most important players. In April 2021, despite a winning record of 19–2, Virtus was defeated in the EuroCup's semifinals by UNICS Kazan
BC UNICS (russian: БК УНИКС) is a professional basketball club in Kazan, Russia, that plays in the VTB United League, and formerly played in the EuroLeague. On February 28, 2022, EuroLeague Basketball suspended the team because of the 2022 ...
. However, the season ended with a great success. In fact, after having knocked out 3–0 both Basket Treviso in the quarterfinals and New Basket Brindisi
New Basket Brindisi, for sponsorship reasons named Happy Casa Brindisi or shortly Brindisi, is a professional Italian basketball based in Brindisi, Apulia. It plays in the first division LBA in the 2022–23 season.
Founded in 2004, the well-s ...
in the semifinals, on 11 June Virtus defeated 4–0 its historic rival Olimpia Milano in the national finals, winning its 16th national title and the first one after twenty years. Teodosić was appointed MVP of the finals.
On 15 June, after a few days from the victory, Đorđević was not confirmed as head coach at the end of his two-year contract, due to some tensions with the club's ownership occurred during the season. On 18 June, the club hired the new head coach, signing a three-year deal with Sergio Scariolo, from the Toronto Raptors. Moreover, Marković, Hunter, Gamble and Ricci were not renewed, while in July and August 2021 Virtus signed important foreign players like Ekpe Udoh
Ekpedeme Friday "Ekpe" Udoh ( ; born May 20, 1987) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for Shimane Susanoo Magic of the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines and the Baylor Bears. In the 201 ...
, Kevin Hervey
Kevin Hervey (born July 9, 1996) is an American professional basketball player, who most recently played for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for UT Arlington.
College car ...
and Mouhammadou Jaiteh, as well as one of the most talented Italian point guards, Nico Mannion
Niccolò "Nico" Mannion (born March 14, 2001) is an Italian-American professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats. He attend ...
, from the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 194 ...
. On 21 September, the team won its second Supercup
A super cup is a competition, usually but not exclusively in association football, which often forms the 'curtain raiser' to a season, and typically involves only two teams who have qualified through success in other competitions during the prev ...
, defeating Olimpia Milano 90–84. However, during the same month, Udoh and Abass suffered serious knee injuries and Virtus signed JaKarr Sampson
JaKarr Jordan Sampson (born March 20, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for the St. John's Red Storm. He is a frequent rebou ...
from the Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first esta ...
and Isaïa Cordinier
Isaïa Cordinier (born 28 November 1996) is a French professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 44th overall pick in the 2016 NBA ...
from Nanterre 92 to replace them.
On 28 October 2021, Zanetti was elected president of Virtus, succeeding Giuseppe Sermasi at the head of the club, and became the only shareholder after a €2 million capital increase. In early 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent international sanctions againt Russia forced all international players to leave the country. On 3 March, Virtus signed the Italian point guard Daniel Hackett, while on 7 March, the club reached an agreement with the Georgian power forward Tornike Shengelia, both of them from CSKA Moscow.
Despite a tough EuroCup regular season ended at the fourth place, Virtus ousted Lietkabelis
BC Lietkabelis ( lt, Krepšinio klubas Lietkabelis), also currently known as BC 7bet-Lietkabelis or 7bet-Lietkabelis for sponsorship reasons, is a Lithuanian professional basketball team based in Panevėžys, Lithuania, participating in the Lithu ...
, Ulm and Valencia in the first three rounds of the playoffs and, on 11 May 2022, defeated Frutti Extra Bursaspor by 80–67 at the Segafredo Arena, winning its first EuroCup and qualifying for the EuroLeague after 14 years. With 21 points scored, the Serbian point guard Miloš Teodosić was once again appointed MVP of the final. However, despite having ended the regular season at the first place and having ousted 3–0 both Pesaro
Pesaro () is a city and ''comune'' in the Italian region of Marche, capital of the Province of Pesaro e Urbino, on the Adriatic Sea. According to the 2011 census, its population was 95,011, making it the second most populous city in the Marche, ...
and Tortona
Tortona (; pms, Torton-a , ; lat, Dhertona) is a ''comune'' of Piemonte, in the Province of Alessandria, Italy. Tortona is sited on the right bank of the Scrivia between the plain of Marengo and the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines.
History ...
in the first two rounds of playoffs, Virtus was defeated 4–2 in the national finals by Olimpia Milan.
During the following summer, Udoh, Hervey, Sampson, Alibegović and Tessitori left the club, but Virtus confirmed the backbone of the roster, notably including Shengelia, who was renewed until June 2024. Moreover, the club signed prominent foreign players like Jordan Mickey
Jordan Grayson Mickey (born July 9, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for Louisiana State University before being selec ...
, Gabriel Lundberg
Gabriel Ifeanyi "Iffe" Lundberg (born 4 December 1994) is a Nigerian-Danish professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He also represents the senior Danish national team. Standi ...
, Semi Ojeleye
Jesusemilore Talodabijesu "Semi" Ojeleye ( ; born December 5, 1994) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for both Duke ...
and Ismaël Bako
Ismaël Bako (born 10 October 1995) is a Belgian professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. Standing at , he plays at the center position. He started his career in 2012 with Leuv ...
. On 29 September 2022, after having ousted Milano in the semifinals, Virtus won its third Supercup, defeating 72–69 Banco di Sardegna Sassari
Polisportiva Dinamo, commonly known as Dinamo Sassari and currently known as Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari for sponsorship reasons, is an Italian professional basketball club that is based in Sassari, Sardinia. They are the current European Cu ...
and achieving a back-to-back, following the 2021 trophy.
Logos
Arena
Since its foundation, Virtus Bologna has changed several home arenas. Each of them was more than just a basketball court, rather a real "house" of the Black V, marking, in the period when they were used, a different era of the long club's history: In 2019, the club has closed a deal to build a new arena with 12,000 seating capacity in theFiera District
The Fiera di Bologna is the business district of the city of Bologna, in central Italy. The area includes a trade exhibition centre and several office towers occupied by the regional government of Emilia-Romagna and various private companies.
Hi ...
, not far away from the temporary Virtus Segafredo Arena.
Honours
Domestic competitions
*Italian League
The Italic League or Most Holy League was an international agreement concluded in Venice on 30 August 1454, between the Papal States, the Republic of Venice, the Duchy of Milan, the Republic of Florence, and the Kingdom of Naples, following the Tr ...
: Winners (16): 1945–46, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1975–76, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2020–21
The dash is a punctuation mark consisting of a long horizontal line. It is similar in appearance to the hyphen but is longer and sometimes higher from the baseline. The most common versions are the endash , generally longer than the hyphen b ...
: Runners-up (18): 1935, 1936, 1937–38, 1939–40, 1942–43, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 2006–07, 2021–22
* Italian Cup
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
: Winners (8): 1973–74, 1983–84, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02
: Runners-up (6): 1992–93, 1999–00, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
* Italian Supercup
: Winners (3): 1995, 2021
File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
, 2022
File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; 2022 Sri Lankan protests, Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretari ...
: Runners-up (8): 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020
2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...
* Italian LNP Cup
: Winners (1): 2017
File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...
* Italian Serie A2
: Winners (1): 2016–17
European competitions
* EuroLeague : Winners (2): 1997–98, 2000–01 : Runners-up (3): 1980–81, 1998–99, 2001–02 : 4th place (1): 1979–80 : Final Four (3):1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The '' Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently ...
, 1999
File:1999 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The funeral procession of King Hussein of Jordan in Amman; the 1999 İzmit earthquake kills over 17,000 people in Turkey; the Columbine High School massacre, one of the first major school shootin ...
, 2002
File:2002 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 2002 Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City; Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and her daughter Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon die; East Timor gains East Timor independence, indepe ...
* EuroCup
: Winners (1): 2021–22
: Semifinalists (1): 2020–21
The dash is a punctuation mark consisting of a long horizontal line. It is similar in appearance to the hyphen but is longer and sometimes higher from the baseline. The most common versions are the endash , generally longer than the hyphen b ...
* FIBA Saporta Cup (defunct)
: Winners (1): 1989–90
: Runners-up (2): 1977–78, 1999–00
: Semifinalists (2): 1978–79, 1981–82
* Basketball Champions League
: Winners (1): 2018–19
* FIBA EuroChallenge (defunct)
: Winners (1): 2008–09
* FIBA EuroCup (defunct)
: 3rd place (1): 2006–07
Worldwide competitions
* FIBA Intercontinental Cup : Runners-up (1):2020
2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...
* McDonald's Championship (defunct)
: Runners-up (2): 1993 McDonald's Championship, 1993, 1995 McDonald's Championship, 1995
Unofficial
* Triple Crown in Basketball, Triple Crown : Winners (1): 2000–01Season by season
Top performances in European and Worldwide competitions
The road to the European cups victories
1989–90 FIBA European Cup Winner's Cup 1997–98 FIBA EuroLeague 2000–01 EuroLeague 2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge 2018–19 Basketball Champions League 2021–22 EuroCupPlayers
Current roster
Depth chart
Notable players
Retired numbers
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers
* Krešimir Ćosić, C, 1978–1980, Inducted 1996FIBA Hall of Famers
* Krešimir Ćosić, C, 1978–1980, Inducted 2007 * Aleksandar Nikolić, Head coach, 1981–1982, Inducted 2007 * Antoine Rigaudeau, PG, 1997–2003, Inducted 2015 * Bogdan Tanjević, Head coach, 2002, Inducted 2019 * Jure Zdovc, PG, 1991–1992, Inducted 2021 * Ettore Messina, Head coach, 1989–1993 and 1997–2002, Inducted 2021Other notable players
Players at the NBA draft
Head coaches
* Renzo Poluzzi (1948–1951) * Dino Fontana (1950–1951) * Venzo Vannini (1951–1952) * Larry Strong (1952–1953) *Giancarlo Marinelli
Giancarlo Marinelli (4 December 1915 – 12 May 1987) was an Italian basketball player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics and the 1948 Summer Olympics. He was born in Bologna
Bologna (, , ; egl, label=Emilian language, Emi ...
(1953–1954)
* Vittorio Tracuzzi
Vittorio Tracuzzi (2 January 1923 – 21 October 1986) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
References
External links
*
1923 births
1986 deaths
Italian men's basketb ...
(1954–1960)
* Eduard Kucharski (1960–1963)
* Mario Alesini
Mario Alesini (17 December 1931 – 2 August 2001) was an Italian basketball player. He was part of the Italian team that finished fourth at the 1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics ( it, Giochi Olimpici estivi del 1960), officially k ...
(1963–1966)
* Jaroslav Šíp
Jaroslav Šíp (24 November 1930 – 6 November 2014) was a Czech basketball player and coach. He was voted to the Czechoslovakian 20th Century Team in 2001.
Playing career Club career
During his club playing career, Šíp won five Czecho ...
(1966–1968)
* Renzo Ranuzzi
Renzo Ranuzzi (15 July 1924 – 16 March 2014) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics and the 1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics ( fi, Kesäolympialaiset 1952; sv, Ol ...
(1968–1969)
* Nello Paratore (1969–1970)
* Vittorio Tracuzzi
Vittorio Tracuzzi (2 January 1923 – 21 October 1986) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
References
External links
*
1923 births
1986 deaths
Italian men's basketb ...
(1970–1971)
* Nico Messina (1971–1973)
* Dan Peterson (1973–1978)
* Terry Driscoll
Edward Cuthbert "Terry" Driscoll, Jr. (born August 28, 1947) is a former American college athletics administrator and professional basketball player. Until 2017, he served as athletic director at the College of William & Mary.
College career
Dri ...
(1978–1980)
* Ettore Zuccheri (1980–1981)
* Renzo Ranuzzi
Renzo Ranuzzi (15 July 1924 – 16 March 2014) was an Italian basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics and the 1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics ( fi, Kesäolympialaiset 1952; sv, Ol ...
(1981)
* Aleksandar Nikolić (1981–1982)
* George Bisacca (1982)
* Mauro Di Vincenzo (1982–1983)
* Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
(1983–1985)
* Alessandro Gamba (1985–1987)
* Krešimir Ćosić (1987–1988)
* Bob Hill (1988–1989)
* Ettore Messina (1989–1993)
* Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
(1993–1997)
* Lino Frattin (1997)
* Ettore Messina (1997–2002)
* Bogdan Tanjević (2002)
* Valerio Bianchini (2002–2003)
* Giampiero Ticchi (2003)
* Alberto Bucci
Alberto Bucci (25 May 1948 – 9 March 2019) was an Italian professional basketball coach who served as president of Virtus Bologna from 2016 to 2019. Having won three Italian championships and four Italian Cups, Bucci was widely considered one ...
(2003–2004)
* Giordano Consolini (2004–2005)
* Zare Markovski
Zare Markovski ( mk, Заре Марковски; born October 28, 1960, in Skopje) is a Macedonian former professional basketball player and current assistant coach of Dinamo Sassari of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), and head coach of th ...
(2005–2007)
* Stefano Pillastrini (2007–2008)
* Renato Pasquali (2008)
* Matteo Boniciolli
Matteo Boniciolli (born 18 April 1962) is an Italian basketball coach of APU Udine in the Italian Serie A2.
He has been a head coach since 1999, guiding several clubs in Italy and abroad to titles, also having taken charge of the Italian nati ...
(2008–2009)
* Lino Lardo (2009–2011)
* Alessandro Finelli (2011–2013)
* Luca Bechi (2013–2014)
* Giorgio Valli (2014–2016)
* Alessandro Ramagli
Alessandro Ramagli (born 1 April 1964) is an Italian professional basketball coach. Ramagli has coached multiple teams in Italy since 1996. He is current head coach of for Scaligera Verona of the LBA.
Coaching career
Alessandro Ramagli began to ...
(2016–2018)
* Stefano Sacripanti
Stefano "Pino" Sacripanti (born 15 May 1970 in Cantù, Italy) is an Italian professional basketball coach.
Coaching career
He is the coach of the Italian men's national under-20 basketball team since 2006, and led them to the bronze medal at t ...
(2018–2019)
* Aleksandar Đorđević (2019–2021)
* Sergio Scariolo (2021–present)
Sponsorship names
Throughout the years, due to sponsorship, the club has been known as : * Minganti Bologna (1953–1958) * Lemonsoda, Oransoda Bologna (1958–1960) * Idrolitina Bologna (1960–1961) * Virtus Bologna (1961–1962) * Knorr Bologna (1962–1965) * Candy (company), Candy Bologna (1965–1969) * Virtus Bologna (1969–1970) * Norda Bologna (1970–1974) * Sinudyne Bologna (1974–1983) * Granarolo Bologna (1983–1986) * Dietor Bologna (1986–1988) * Knorr Bologna (1988–1993) * Buckler Beer Bologna (1993–1996) * Ferrero SpA, Kinder Bologna (1996–2002) * Virtus Bologna (2002–2003) * Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna, Carisbo Bologna (2003–2004) * Caffè Maxim Bologna (2004–2005) * VidiVici Bologna (2005–2007) * La Fortezza Bologna (2007–2009) * Canadian Solar Bologna (2009–2012) * SAIE3 Bologna (2012–2013) * Oknoplast Bologna (2013) * Granarolo Bologna (2013–2015) * Obiettivo Lavoro Bologna (2015–2016) * Virtus Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, Segafredo Bologna (2016–present)Kit manufacturer
* 1977–1983: Lotto Sport Italia, Lotto * 1983–1988: Les Copains * 1988–1996: Reebok * 1996–1999: Fila (company), Fila * 1999–2009: Champion (sportswear), Champion * 2009–present: Macron (sportswear), MacronVirtus.it, Retrieved 23 March 2017.
References
External links
*Historical record and names at Lega Basket Serie A
Retrieved 27 June 2015 {{Navboxes, title =European championships squads, titlestyle = background:#201F1F; color:white; , list1= {{Virtus Bologna 2008–09 EuroChallenge champions {{Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna 2018–19 BCL Champions {{Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna 2021–22 Eurocup champions Virtus Bologna, 1929 establishments in Italy Basketball teams established in 1929 Basketball teams in Emilia-Romagna EuroLeague-winning clubs Sport in Bologna