AUS - Andersen's triumphant return to Italy

TURIN (Coppa Italia) - When David Andersen left Australia as a young professional more than a decade ago, he landed in Italy and played for Virtus Bologna - one of the most famous clubs in Europe.

Having gone on to compete for Montepaschi Siena, CSKA Moscow, Barcelona, the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors, Andersen came full circle when he decided to return to Italy last summer.

The 31-year-old signed for Montepaschi again and on Sunday led the club to their latest triumph, a record fourth straight success in the Coppa Italia.

Andersen, who is averaging 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague for Mens Sana and 15.8 in the Lega A, had 23 as Montepaschi beat Bennet Cantu, 88-71, to lift the Coppa.

"I need to thank my teammates," he said, "because without them, I wouldn't take the shots I take and this is a compliment to them.

"It's always great to win with Siena."

Montepaschi are the undisputed kings of Italian basketball, having clinched the last five Lega A titles.

Benetton Treviso had twice won the Coppa Italia in three straight years (1993, 94 and 95 and 2003, 04 and 05), but now Montepaschi have set a new benchmark with four in a row.

Their biggest challenge in Turin over the weekend came in the Semi-Finals against Olimpia Milano, who are coached by Spain's national team boss, Sergio Scariolo.

Mens Sana won that game, 67-65, and Andersen had 23 points in that triumph as well.

"We've taken a step forward because that's what we needed to do to win the Final against a very good side like Cantu," Andersen said.

Andersen will be with Australia at the London Games this summer.

He played for the Boomers at both the Athens Olympics in 2004 and the Beijing Games in 2008.


FIBA