ITA - Mission accomplished for Magnano, Whirlpool Varese
The aim for Ruben Magnano and his Whirlpool Varese players on Sunday was simple. The northern Italian team needed to beat Virtus Bologna to qualify for the Coppa Italia. Giacomo Galanda, Italy's captain at the Athens Olympics and at EuroBasket 2005 who was left off the team’s FIBA World Championship squad last year, poured in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Varese won, 75-69.
VARESE (Lega A) - The aim for Ruben Magnano and his Whirlpool Varese players on Sunday was simple.
The northern Italian team needed to beat Virtus Bologna to qualify for the Coppa Italia.
Giacomo Galanda, Italy's captain at the Athens Olympics and at EuroBasket 2005 who was left off the team’s FIBA World Championship squad last year, poured in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Varese won, 75-69.
With the win, Varese improved to 10-7 and secured their place in the prestigious Coppa.
Only the top eight sides take part in the competition, which will be hosted in Bologna by Virtus from February 8-11.
"We knew the importance of this game and my players come out really determined," said Magnano, the coach of Argentina's gold-medal winning side at Athens 2004.
"Today we played using the clock and all I cared about was clinching those two points. Now that we have qualified for the Coppa Italia, we will try to honour the competition as best as possible."
As for Galanda, he endured a disappointing 2005-06 campaign with Armani Jeans Milano and was not selected to play for Italy last summer.
National team coach Carlo Recalcati said at the time he wanted Galanda and some of his other veteran players to rest, but indicated they would be considered again for this summer’s EuroBasket in Spain.
Since his summer move to Varese from Milano, the 2.1m Galanda has recaptured his form.
A bronze medal winner with Italy at EuroBasket 2003 and a silver medalist at the Athens Olympics, Galanda was eight of 11 from the floor on Sunday, including one of three from three-point range.
The defeat completed a very bad week for Virtus, who had already secured their place in the Coppa with a 13 wins.
They were also thrashed 106-74 by Akasvayu Girona in their midweek EuroCup game in Spain. Sunday's setback prevented them from rejoining Montepaschi Siena at the top of the Lega A table.
Montepaschi beat Climamio on Saturday, 85-81.
Brazilian international Guilherme Giovannoni had 17 points to lead Virtus in defeat.
By Jeff Taylor, FIBA