BELGRADE (Serbia) - A year comes to a halt in 90 seconds. Sometimes even less than a minute and a half, depending on how fast the horses run.
At one moment, 50,000 people fall into a silence so deep it only increases the tension. When the heavy rope drops, a roar erupts - literally, a cloud of dust rises. Dirt flung across the stone of Piazza del Campo. Stone that has absorbed the pounding of hooves twice a year since the Middle Ages.
The Palio, a race involving 10 horses from 17 different contrade (districts, neighborhoods, parts of the city) of Siena, held on July 2 and August 16, captures intense attention and stirs deep passion every year.
The elderly weep with joy or sorrow, the youth scream and run, and flags bearing each district's colors wave proudly...
Hysteria? No - love. Love for the contrada they belong to. Love for the horses.
Luca Banchi spent six years working as an assistant coach in Siena, and one more as the head coach. Although he hails from nearby Grosseto, it was only while working for Italy's top basketball club at the time that he came to understand what genuine affection for these noble animals truly means.
That's why the Latvia coach, in an interview with Meridian Sport, connects all the dots so easily, even in basketball.
One of the contrade has been trying for years to invite Nikola to the Palio.
When asked if Nikola Jokic's passion - and he will be Banchi's main focus on August 30, when Latvia faces Serbia at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 - resembles that of the Palio, the former Anadolu Efes coach responds without hesitation:
"I can paint the Palio for you. And I can tell you a story."
Hearing "please" as a cue to continue, Banchi goes on:
"One of the contrade, Pantera, has been trying for years to invite Nikola to the Palio through his manager, Misko Raznatovic. But they don't want to be pushy, to avoid getting rejected. They know how much he loves horses. Not the racing aspect, but the animals themselves."
"I've seen it - he's in love. Just like me. Just like all the people in Siena. There are folks in Italy who are against horse racing, but in Siena, they love animals. And I'm glad for that, because horses, along with dogs, are my favorite. That contrada is still trying to contact Nikola, to get him to visit. He hasn't come yet. But why not? One day..."
Banchi casts the bait perfectly. He offers something the best basketball player in the world truly loves: anonymity.
"He'd love it, because he wouldn't be treated like a superstar there. The Palio brings everyone to the same level, people who are just in love with horses."
"Whether you're an NBA millionaire or a kid with empty pockets, it doesn't matter. Everyone shares the same dream: to watch those horses race."
"People are happy. The amazing atmosphere lasts for days, weeks, even months before and after the race," says the 60-year-old coach, adding:
"I love it so much I even had horses myself. But I made poor choices. After three years, I had to quit. I wasn't winning, and it stopped being fun. But the memories remain. Every morning, between 5:30 and 6:00, I'd go down to see them. Their morning training, in the winter chill, in the fog… There's no better way to start the day. My back won't let me ride anymore, but since I live by the sea, I often see people riding on the beach… That image stirs something deep in me. But even that can't compare to what the people of Siena feel."
To sum it up: can Nikola Jokic's passion compare?
"When I saw Nikola crying after a race... That's it. That's the feeling. You have to attend the Palio at least once in your life. It must be on your bucket list. I'm from Grosseto, I worked in Siena as a coach for seven years - and yet I've only seen the race live once! I didn't want to take up space. I wanted the people of Siena to have room and enjoy it. I felt like it wasn't mine. It belongs to them."
But if the Palio "belongs" to Siena, the basketball court belongs to Banchi. And especially to Jokic.
"I've never seen him live. He's one of the most creative basketball players."
Still, the Latvian national team coach has another ace up his sleeve who will appear on August 30 at the Arena Riga.
"Jokic and Kristaps Porzingis are the embodiment of the modern center. Their basketball IQ and how much they elevate their teammates are among their greatest strengths. They pass, create space, anticipate... They're changing the game. Redefining what a center can be. They are role models, inspiring millions of kids worldwide. They should be studied and emulated."
Banchi sees the matchup against Serbia in Riga, where Latvia will enjoy home-court advantage, as an opportunity to challenge, in his words, one of the best teams in the world.
"What they've done over the past few years is impressive. Every great nation goes through slumps, but Serbia always stays competitive. Even without their top stars, they have depth that keeps them among the best. How do I picture that game? As a basketball festival. A chance for fans to see such talent on display. I hope everyone is healthy," he said.
"Since I became head coach, Porzingis will be playing in his first major tournament. In four years, he's only been available for two games during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers window. I see it as a celebration of talent, an opportunity for our small country to show how high we've climbed. We need to enjoy it and make memories."
It all began for this new Svetislav Pesic-led Serbia with a game against Latvia in a half-empty Pionir Hall, during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. Serbia barely won (101-100) in overtime. Pesic has often pointed to Latvia since then, as a team the world should watch.
"Of course I remember that game. It was our only loss in four years of Qualifiers (9-1 in World Cup Qualifiers, 6-0 in EuroBasket Qualifiers). The only one! A crazy game, an amazing performance, despite the loss. That was our message to the world. The moment we realized we could compete at the top level. That loss built our mentality as much as our wins. That's when we became aware. Coach Pesic saw our potential even before others did, even though we don't have big names in the biggest leagues."
After the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, and their dramatic Quarter-Finals loss to Germany (who went on to become champions), Latvia truly caught global attention. They now sit fifth in the FIBA Power Rankings heading into EuroBasket.
"It was expected, especially after the World Cup. Our position has changed drastically, we're in the world's Top 10 and Europe's Top 5. All thanks to results. I'm proud that we helped bring Latvia to this level. We want to keep going, but the competition is fierce. Still, it's encouraging to see our younger teams doing well too, it shows that basketball in Latvia is growing."
Banchi tries to describe the euphoria in Riga ahead of EuroBasket: "The atmosphere is great. We're talking about Latvia, a small country, and Riga, one of Europe's smallest capitals. But ever since we got to host these events, people have been excited, especially basketball fans. For such a small country, this is something unique. You can feel it everywhere. People are beyond thrilled to see the best, live."
We've rekindled Latvia's love for basketball.
And that's the legacy of the Banchi era.
"I took over the national team at its lowest point, after it failed to qualify for both the EuroBasket and World Cup, during the COVID pandemic. The mood was pessimistic, and that's why I'm so proud of what we've accomplished in these four years. We've achieved so many big victories... That's why we're now one of Europe's top-ranked teams. Especially after the World Cup where we finished fifth. We've rekindled Latvia's love for basketball."
That's what Latvian kids will remember. But what is Luca Banchi's most cherished basketball memory? First as a fan, then as a coach?
"As an Italian, my fondest memory is the gold medal at FIBA EuroBasket 1983 in Nantes. It was incredible. I was a child, but already in love with basketball. I remember that game, it changed everything for me, it boosted my love for the sport. That moment will always stay with me. Some say the national team doesn't matter as much as club basketball, because of the NBA and EuroLeague, but that victory is one of the main reasons I took on the challenge of coaching Latvia. I truly believe no one can inspire society the way a national team can. Success comes from love and passion. Italy isn't a basketball country like Serbia, but at that time, for me - it was huge. Unforgettable. I even remember being in France when Italy won gold in Paris under Bogdan Tanjevic. Amazing! But by then I was already a coach, it was a different feeling. So, if I have to choose just one moment, it's Nantes 1983."
Banchi paused.
"Sadly, on Monday, a member of that unforgettable generation passed away, Marco Bonamico. Unexpectedly. Italy is in shock. But that generation of players will live on in my memory forever."
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