The match at 5pm against the Italian champions opens Moncalieri’s Opening day Coach Castelli: “We will have to defend hard, we can play it on rebound”
WEAPONS
Costruzioni Italia Broni, in its sixth consecutive participation in A1, debuts this afternoon, duo at 5 pm (live broadcast on the streaming channel www.lbftv.it) at PalaEinaudi in Moncalieri, home of the Opening day, against Umana Reyer Venice, reigning champion of Italy. The orogranata of coach Massimo Romano are veterans of the commitment in the National Super Cup, closed in second place. The Venetians beat Virtus Bologna in the semifinals (69-61), and lost the final against Famila Schio (67-64), wasting an advantage of 17 points. Two foreigners from the lagoons will not be in the match: the American winger Thornton, who has just closed the WNBA season with the Dallas Wings, and the Senegalese pivot, naturalized Spanish, Ndour, who is still engaged in the playoffs with the Chicago Sky. Despite the absences, it is still a very strong opponent for the Oltrepadana team, which will, as always, be followed by the Viking, in their 31st year in the stands.
Coach Castelli’s analysis
«The Venetians have shown in the Super Cup that when they play together, they have great skills and can make important breaks. – explains the Bronese coach Andrea Castelli – We will have to defend hard to complicate their game, while I believe that we are strong under the basket, so it will be a good battle. We will have to hold out especially on the outside, it will be the key to the game. Then they have an important pick and roll with Petronyte. Sooner or later you have to meet them all, maybe it will give us a greater stimulus: I’m curious to see the reaction of the team in front of a big one. Let’s start with tough teams, Venice and Ragusa on Matchday 2 at home, it could be an opportunity to test ourselves, putting our aggression on the parquet ».
This is the ninth confrontation between Broni and Venice: the balance smiles at the orogranata, victorious on six occasions against the two of the Bronesi, who won in both circumstances at PalaBrera. There is a precedent for the opening day: on 6 October 2018 in Turin, 82-60 for Venice, Broni’s only defeat in four Opening days.
Challenge between cousins
In the ranks of Venice there are the former Giovanna Elena Smorto (in Broni in 2018/2019) – and Sara Madera, who wore the overseas jersey last season, making a decisive contribution to salvation. Finally, a challenge between cousins: Elena Bestagno, Broni’s new play, and Martina Bestagno, Reyer’s pivot. The match will be directed by Andrea Chersicla from Oggiono (Lecco), Chiara Corrias from Cordovado (Pordenone) and Cristina Mignogna from Milan. Venice will debut Wednesday in the Euroleague against the Hungarians of Ksc Szekszard. –
FRANCO SCABROSETTI