The president of Gesteco sums up: a company founded a year has reached game five of the final for promotion to Serie A2
The first season of the Gesteco Cividale went beyond the most optimistic forecasts, with the promotion to Serie A2 close to. For the president Davide Micalich it is time to take stock, with an eye already projected towards next season, because the market is already starting to be bubbly.
Micalich, thirteen months have passed since you left APU and started working on the new Ueb project. It has been an endless season: is it more tiredness or satisfaction for the new creature?
«The enormous love I have for basketball makes tiredness take a back seat. In the Covid era we had a moral duty to convey joy and positivity, as basketball men we continued to do so. And in any case, I have never stopped for years. It will be like this as long as energy and passion support me ».
Tell the truth, did you imagine yourself doing a similar path in the first year?
“Honestly no. It all started by chance, I wanted to do something different and give a new outlet to the territory. I didn’t think we were going to do such a wonderful thing. I thought I was doing well, because we have skills and history, but not so well ».
Did you dispose of the bitterness for the defeat in the final match against Fabriano?
«We are men of sport, we play to win and therefore accepting defeat is difficult. But there is a lot of satisfaction for having created a beautiful project. All in all, perhaps it is better this way: we have more time to structure ourselves, now the next step I hope will be basketball again with open doors ».
How difficult was it to create an ambitious society out of thin air in times of a pandemic?
«It was an all-encompassing challenge. Either I did that, or I quit basketball. Looking back, I did something unconscious. But I trusted my men, and I knew you couldn’t sit idle. It was exciting to see this creature grow, many believed we wouldn’t even make it to Christmas. Instead the structure already has solid foundations ».
Who is the player who thrilled you the most?
«Eugenio Rota. I didn’t know him, he was a driving force, a twenty-year-old leader ».
The 2021/22 season officially begins tomorrow. Do you already have clear ideas on how to move?
«Yes, during the play-off finals we met a couple of times. We had a plan A and a plan B depending on how it ended. The technical mandate is obviously in the hands of Pillastrini, the spirit will always be that of a young team, when boarding ».
Does the Gesteco remain like this or is it planning to strengthen itself?
«We arrived within 10 minutes of Serie A2, so on paper it is not so difficult to improve it. We want to find a couple of players to raise the level: a winger and a long. For the rest, there will be many confirmations, also because everyone is happy to stay in Cividale ».
On the bench Pillastrini is a guarantee.
“He’s great. When I called him to come to Cividale, he said yes to me with a poke. He had a great desire to do something like the old days, linked to young people. He is our gang leader, he has another two years on his contract. Together with Adriano Luci he is the cornerstone of this project ».
On balance, Cividale was a good choice.
«It would not have made sense to create a new project in Udine. I have had various proposals, even from outside the province, but I’m from Friuli and I’m fine here in Cividale. The size is perfect, a wonderful combination has been created ».