ITA - Soragna helps steady Benetton ship through rough seas

TREVISO (Lega A) - Want a birdseye view of one of the best sports clubs in Europe?

Log on to google.com, click on maps and then satellite before typing in the words La Ghirada, Treviso, Italy before hitting search.

Once the page is loaded, you will look down on Benetton Treviso's 'city of sport'.

Mike D'Antoni, Ettore Messina, Maurizio Gherardini, Andrea Bargnani - all who have the mark of excellence - spent time at La Ghirada.

D'Antoni is now coaching the Phoenix Suns, Messina at CSKA Moscow and both Gherardini, Benetton's former general manager, and last summer's number one NBA draft pick Bargnani, are with the Toronto Raptors.

One figure who isn't as famous but will go down as a great servant of the club is Matteo Soragna.

The 1.99m forward grabbed everyone's attention with his play for Italy at EuroBasket 2003.

He was on court for 31 minutes in the Italians' bronze-medal win over France in Sweden that catapulted the Azzurri into the 2004 Olympics, and he was a big-time player at the Athens Games where the national side captured silver.

Having spent several years at Biella, Soragna finally got his dream move to Benetton after the Olympics and has paid big dividends for the team in Italy and Europe.

Injuries have made life very difficult for Benetton this season but there is no panic in the ranks and one reason is that Soragna is using his experience to lead.

Soragna had 19 first-half points at the Palaverde against CSKA Moscow last Wednesday but ultimately, his team lost to the European champions 68-60.

The 31-year-old spoke to Jeff Taylor on behalf of FIBA after the game.

FIBA: This is a very difficult moment for Benetton Treviso, Matteo, with all of the injuries that have wreaked havoc on your roster and the losses piling up as result. Will your team survive this crisis?
Soragana: "We are going through an horrific moment, very tough. We just have to take it step by step to handle this situation, do the little things that will help us build some confidence, to find something that will be useful for us."

FIBA: You have just played CSKA Moscow, the winners of the Euroleague last year, and did push them hard until the final minute. Is there any consolation in a game like this?
Soragna: "We went up against CSKA who may be the best team in Europe again. Okay, maybe there were some (difficult) calls and it's normal that the European champions will get some, but we have to take the positives. We had the reaction of coming back after falling behind by double-digits."

FIBA: Matteo, looking at the Italian league, it's a huge test for Benetton as well because there is so much talent from top to bottom.
Soragna: "This year more than others, we can win or lose against anybody. We are really struggling in the Italian league, having lost four straight games (they finally won at the weekend, 66-63 at Bipop Carire Reggio Emilia). We need to reach the top eight of the Italian Cup, and it will be tough, but we have to be men and get there."

FIBA: I know your focus is 100% on Benetton right now, but I wanted to ask you briefly about Italy and the EuroBasket in Spain. The Italian national team has been a great story since winning the bronze medal at the EuroBasket in Sweden. Does that experience with Italy come in handy for you personally as you fight through the difficult times with Benetton?
Soragna: "Now is not the time to think about the Italian national team, but okay, the mentality that we had there we can draw on here (at Benetton). We have three national team players so we have to respond in the right way, to leave our hearts on the floor."

FIBA: "There has also been what could prove to be a very important signing in Erazem Lorbek, who has joined you for the remainder of the season from Unicaja Malaga."
Soragna: "Of course. We have added two important players (Preston Shumpert and Lorbek) who hopefully will help us a lot. They need a lot of time to get used to the team and there is a lot of work (before they can help)."

FIBA: Is it still strange to see your former coach, Messina, on the other sideline?
Soragna: "It's been two years, but it's always a pleasure to play against him. He's a great coach, but basketball is like this."

FIBA: Treviso is an amazing place, Matteo. I don't think people in America realise how special it is over here.
Soragna: (laughing) "People in America don't know much about Europe. It's a different game, though, and we have a different way of doing things. But I am not saying we are better, it's different, though."

FIBA: Have you been keeping up with your good friend in North America, Andrea Bargnani, who has had a great start to the NBA with the Toronto Raptors?
Soragna: (Smiling) "Of course. I got to be his friend, and I got to watch him be drafted. He's doing well, he's changed his life but I'm happy for him."

FIBA: Matteo, many of us wonder what top basketball players do when they're not playing the game. How about you?
Soragna: "I always stay with my wife, and now that I have a three-month old daughter, I just want to stay with them both."

PA Sport