Luca Banchi recounts first hours after Virtus deal, describes inevitable team rebuild / News - Basketnews.com

Luca Banchi revealed how he experienced his first hours as the coach of Virtus Bologna and his main priorities in his new job. He also referred to the squad's state of mind following Scariolo's dismissal and to the one player that was the cause of the team's rebuild.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

The first big game of the season of what has turned into the derby of Italian basketball was won by Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Three months after Game 7 of the Serie A finals that had given the championship title to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, the two teams found themselves at the PalaLeonessa in Brescia for the first semi-final of the Italian Super Cup.

Virtus, with Luca Banchi making his debut on the bench after the dismissal of Sergio Scariolo, prevailed by 78-73 and will face Brescia in Sunday's final game (18:00 CEST).

Virtus Bologna, winner of the last two editions of the tournament, can make it three in a row in case they manage to beat the hosts as well.

However, Banchi was the man of the match, as he earned his first important win in his new job. The 58-year-old tactician recently led Latvia to 5th place in the 2023 World Cup in a historic run that also garnered him the award of tournament's best coach.

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Banchi focused on the opportunity offered to him by Virtus Bologna and recounted the chronicle that led to his hiring.

"On Friday, I returned from Riga, and landed in Fiumicino [airport]. I did not imagine anything of what would happen before I turned on my phone. At home, my family reacted in a contrasting way, between immediate surprise and a lot of satisfaction.

What plans did I have? Resting and helping out at home, since I had been away for more than two months. It seems right to me to dedicate attention to those who love you and make many sacrifices," Banchi continued.

"I slept very little to take advantage of every single moment and gather as much information as possible. I know how many risks I took, but thanks to the accumulated experience, I'm able to manage," he said.

The Tuscan coach touched on the work that awaits him in this new venture in Bologna.

"In the national team, I am learning to fight time, our main enemy. How many coaches stay on the same bench for a long time? In Bologna, however, I work on a game structure already run-in, of the highest level, with very experienced players, of great talent. Guys like [Bryant] Dunston and [Tornike] Shengelia.

I am able to work with some of the best players in international basketball. Of course I like it, I would be hypocritical to say otherwise," the veteran coach admitted.

Virtus' play-caller also referred to the state of mind of his players, following Scariolo's departure.

"I found the team inevitably upset but at the same time strongly determined to prove their worth. I immediately asked for great sacrifice, whether we would win the Super Cup or not. After [Milos] Teodosic's departure, the team had to be redesigned.

I can count on the charisma and experience of players like [Daniel] Hackett, [Marco] Belinelli, and [Alessandro] Pajola. This nucleus of Italians, along with [Achille] Polonara, can constitute another point of reference," Banchi argued.

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