Giant with a gentle wrist, prototype of the modern big forward. So pioneer of the two worlds of the Friulian wedge ball: as a player, before, as a coach, still today. Because Tiziano Lorenzon, 61, a Roman transplanted to Friuli, is the man who, on the bench, led the Gsa in Serie C. He is the hero of an Amarcord Apu, protagonist of the city sports scene in the 80s . He is the centurion in the service of the Gesteco-branded Lombards. Udine and Cividale, therefore, in his destiny.
Lorenzon, now both of its squares are in A2. Is it legitimate, in your opinion, to talk about rivalry?
«A sporting and correct rivalry is right, there can be. It can create a good show on the pitch. Looking at football, I think of the Roma-Lazio dualism. But even here, when I arrived 40 years ago, there were four teams fighting each other, one for each province ».
What prompted you to come to Friuli?
«It was Udine who wanted me. I was a young promise, they bet on me. And eventually the marriage worked. I played with them for five years: we hit two promotions, interspersed, unfortunately, by a relegation. But the first jump in A1, in the Gedeco jersey, was something exceptional ».
How come?
«Because no one expected it. Indeed, it was believed we had to retreat. At the time, I’m talking about 1983, there was also a certain Zico in Udine: we didn’t think people would come to see us. Instead the Carnera, which then held more than five thousand spectators, was always full ».
What attracted them, besides your victories?
“The fact that we were doing state-of-the-art basketball. At that time it was played with three external and two internal. To make our play, however, there was a pivot, while I had started to act from four, pulling from outside. We put everyone in difficulty ».
Udine, for her, was a springboard. Then, ten years later, the decision to return to Friuli. How did she go?
“After the experience in Sassari, I decided not to want to move anymore, I was 34 years old by now. However, there was an award between two of my former clubs, which, even without involving me, prevented me from taking the field. I remember well that on the last evening available for membership at my house there was the president of Cividale Riccobono. At nine o’clock I received the call that finally gave me the green light: we both got down on our knees to cry. So I was automatically transferred to Cividale ».
Already then sponsored Gesteco.
“Exactly. I have wonderful memories of that experience and of the Luci family, of Adriano, of his brother Graziano. Already at the time their enthusiasm was engaging, I am happy for what they managed to create. When I was playing for them, the team played in B2, the pitch was in via Luinis: we tried to aim higher, but without success ».
He hung up his shoes, began to train. And here is Udine again.
«Named Nuova Basket Udine. In fact, the first GSA. With them I made three consecutive promotions, bringing the team up to C1 in 2010 ».
What memory do you have of President Pedone?
«He was already a great enthusiast. As an entrepreneur, by investing, he rightly wanted to get results. It’s a shame they missed the promotion this year. But the company is solid, competent. They will know how to treasure this experience ».
Cividale, on the other hand, managed to hit the big leap. Was he surprised?
«No, because also in this case, the promotion aims were based on a solid project. Which, although it did not immediately lead to a climb, this year has paid off. Considering all this, then, I am pleased to observe how much of the roster that brought Cividale to A2 has remained unchanged. This helps to consolidate the group. I think it is right that the company has opted only for small adjustments ».
Among the new grafts of the Apu, several Friulian elements. Good choice?
“When I was playing, I remember that people needed to identify with the team. This, both for Udine and for Cividale, is important. The players must understand that they represent something, in this case Friuli. Then people recognize it: I’m not Friulian, but many people, even today, stop me on the street, they remember. The player must be the interpreter of the audience watching him: for me this is the key to obtaining results that are sometimes even unexpected ».
Unlimited access to all site content
1 € / month for 3 months, then 2.99 € per month for 3 months
Unlock unlimited access to all content on the site