ITA - Hosts Virtus want party atmosphere at Coppa Italia

ROME (Lega A) - Virtus Bologna fans have plenty to look forward to in 2007.

The financial crisis that led Virtus to relegation and two years of Lega Due purgatory before their return to the top flight for the 2005-06 campaign now seems a distant memory.

The legendary Italian club, European champions in 1998 and 2001, is cruising in both Lega A and this season’s EuroCup.

Owner Claudio Sabatini attended the presentation for the Coppa Italia in Rome this week and spoke exclusively to Cindy Garcia-Bennett on behalf of FIBA.

FIBA: Congratulations on Virtus Bologna hosting this year’s Coppa Italia. For the first time, the Italian League (Lega Basket) has decided to allow a club to host this prestigious tournament because it was staged in neutral arenas in the past six years. How significant is this for Virtus and for the city of Bologna?

Sabatini: "It means so much for us to host this event. Sure, it is a challenging task and a big responsibility to organise the Coppa Italia, but bringing such a special tournament to Basket City (Bologna) means a lot to us. It's a reward for the city of Bologna, whose people have a lot of passion for the game and I believe it is the ideal place to host it."

FIBA: The chosen Logo for the event is "divided by the team colours united by basketball."

Sabatini: "I arrived late to basketball but I have noticed so much passion for the game and I just hope this event will be, most of all, a basketball party aside from the competition."

FIBA: How many fans do you expect to be in attendance for the tournament that will take place from February 8-11?

Sabatini: "We expect between 25,000 and 40,000 spectators. What we really want is to attract people who have never experienced the world of basketball. Our duty after all, is to attract people to the game. That is why we have come up with an initiative in which we will invite people to experience their first basketball game. We also hope that Climamio Bologna fans will turn up to watch the tournament even if their team does not qualify, which we hope they do."

FIBA: Fan following has never been a problem for Virtus, who have very loyal supporters. Has the fever increased with the positive results achieved by the club?

Sabatini: “We still have an average 7,000 fans turning up for our games. Regardless of our results, we have always had the support of our fans, in the good and in the bad times."

FIBA: Would you have anticipated such a positive campaign for Virtus, with your team having won 13 league games and only lost three times in the Lega A so far?

Sabatini: "We are top in the standings but this team wasn't made to be the number one team in the Lega A. This is a season of transition for us and we know it. We are also aware that we are in a privileged position not only for the good results this team has done, but for the difficult season that other top clubs are experiencing. Top clubs are not showing their best form. We are satisfied with what the team has done so far but we are keeping our feet firmly on the ground. Our aim is to be competing for every title possible in the next few years and a build a winning side."


FIBA: What has been the secret of success for Virtus?

Sabatini: "Our main strength is the spirit of this group and we hope that we can keep it up. I am very satisfied with the atmosphere in the team. Of course you need luck but sometimes you have to search for it and that is what we try to do. We have a strong group and not just individuals, and for a team game, this is vital."

PA Sport