“My Virtus Bologna needs the spirit of Spain to beat Olimpia Milano” – Corriere.it

After the fourth European gold with Spain, he was named by King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: two noble awards for his achievement. Sergio Scariolo the coach of the moment. But as Dan Peterson pointed out, his colleagues from Serie A and Euroleague (both at the start) will have an extra motivation to face it: None of them – Dan observes – will accept that he lectures in their respective classrooms. Don Sergio knows this and is armoring Virtus Bologna, eager to take back the Scudetto sold in Milan and not to have appeared in the continental tournament found thanks to the success in the Eurocup, with two concepts: humility and perseverance. The first exam is already today Wednesday 28 February (8.45 pm, first at 6 pm Tortona-Sassari: on TV on Eleven Sports and Eurosport2): again against the Italian champions in the Supercoppa semifinal, the starter of a long challenge.

Scariolo, transporting the magic of Spain to Bologna?

There are two different situations: I have been working with the national team for years, I have been at Virtus since last season. And I don’t have a magic wand. That said, I’ll try hard.

Spain had to overcome the obstacle of a rejuvenated team. Don’t you think that Virtus also has to go beyond a limit, that of being a group in adjustment?

We often create the limit within ourselves. Bologna will face the challenges of the field, but first of all it will have to be good at managing difficult moments, finding the attitude of a great team.

Do you have any advice to give to Gianmarco Pozzecco, now a colleague coach?

Gianmarco has already asked me for some and I gave them to him, since I have been in the role for several years. If he needs it again, I’ll be there.

In Italy the mourning of the defeat with France was not elaborated.

I understand the disappointment after a game that was in hand. But I would look at the glass half full: now Italy has high level players. And he has the prospect of including Paolo Banchero, one who can change the face of a team.

Are you sure that the first NBA choice of 2022 will wear the blue jersey of the national team?

Retaining a talent of this kind is not easy: there are many problems to be solved and I know them. But it can be done.

What is the merit and what is the defect of Serie A?

Although there are more chances for foreigners, he knows how to turn out interesting players. For Achille Polonara and Simone Fontecchio they had to go abroad to demonstrate their qualities: here then the value becomes a defect. What, on the other hand, is really wrong? Sometimes too much space is given to those who have no competence.

The league has a new partner, Discovery’s Dmax, for free-to-air games. Rai leaves the scene.

I only hope that the quality of the broadcasts, the comments and the outline will be high: the decisive content, but the “box” that surrounds it also counts, and not a little.

In the Euroleague you come back as rookies: it’s kind, thinking about Virtus’ past.

The acceptable role. We will have to have broad shoulders and think with the same mentality as those who, in Serie A, struggle not to retreat. So: trust and humility, but also boldness in not favoring pre-established hierarchies.

On 11 November, will Virtus coach against Milan in the Euroleague or Spain against Italy in the world qualifiers?

I hope there are … two November 11s, in the sense that commitments are offset. Among other things, said without controversy, this coincidence seems malicious to me: I hope that the new Euroleague executive finally harmonizes the calendars together with FIBA.

What is your starting grid for Serie A?

Milan on pole, but will have to check the strength of the championship staff. We are alongside, but behind us there are those who want to join: I say Venice, Sassari, Tortona and Brescia above all.

Who could go beyond its worth?

Pesaro (editor’s note: Scariolo, with a slip linked to the past, having driven it to the Scudetto, still calls it Scavolini, while today the sponsor Carpegna) competitive and can do well: in the pre-season he beat us and Milan also took a risk.

Names to wait for at the gate?

I hope those of some young players, for example our Gora Camara and Leo Menalo: I would like them to deserve space to become players in their own right.

The national team has given new luster to Mannion and Pajola.

They have enormous room for improvement: they have to consolidate their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

Olimpia-Virtus, after two championship finals and a 1-1 balance, seems to have become the Ali-Frazier duel of boxing: who will win the playoff?

We will have to make a great effort to confirm ourselves at that level, Milan has even strengthened the Italian group with Stefano Tonut. But Venice could fit between us and them.

On the eve of the season, what does Sergio Scariolo have in his soul?

Adrenaline. But also curiosity, linked to a question: how will we react when the hard times arrive?