Armani Jeans Milano 2008-09, team profile
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 A legendary team in European basketball history, Olimpija Milano, is back in the Euroleague for 2008-09 to continue its progression back to the big-time. Olimpia Milano experienced some tough times in the last decade, but things have changed since fashion mogul Giorgio Armani became the team sponsor in 2004. Since then, Armani Jeans Milano has reclaimed its historic role as an Italian League challenger and returned to battle the continent's best in the Euroleague. Tradition has always been the club's backbone. Olimpia Milano was founded in 1936 and immediately won four consecutive domestic titles. That collection would grow over the years to an amazing 25 Italian League titles with four Italian Cup trophies added for good measure. Milano's status in Europe was sealed when Bill Bradley arrived in 1966 and led the team to the Euroleague title in front of its home fans. The team added Saporta Cup titles in 1971, 1972 and 1976 with Art Kenney, Renzo Bariviera, Giorgio Giomo and head coach Cesare Rubini, as well as Korac Cup crowns in 1985 and 1993. Mike D'Antoni, Dino Meneghin and Joe Barry Carroll helped Milano to beat Varese 91-78 in the 1985 Korac Cup final, while Aleksandar Djordjevic, Antonello Riva and Riccardo Pittis pushed Milano past Virtus Roma in the 1993 Korac title series. Its finest moments came when Milano put together a classic team full of talent and experience with players like Meneghin, Bob McAdoo and D'Antoni. They led Olimpia to back-to-back Euroleague titles in 1987 and 1988, under two different head coaches, Dan Peterson and Franco Casalini, both times against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
2007-08 RESULTS | Euroleague | | Italian League | R. Season | 19-15 | Playoffs | Semifinal |
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The second of those continental crowns ushered in the Final Four era in Europe. Milano's last titles came as the team won both the Italian League and the Italian Cup in 1996 with Nando Gentile, Dejan Bodiroga and Gregor Fucka. Things have not been easy since then, as Olimpia even missed the domestic playoffs on occasion. Now, a new era has begun for Armani Jeans Milano, with a city of fans behind the club's efforts to add to its long history of success. Milano made it to the Italian League finals in 2005 before losing against Climamio Bologna and is now entering its third Euroleague season in four years. Milano has made it to the Italian League semifinals in each of the last two seasons, showing it is ready to take the next step in its domestic competition. Milano is now on a mission to have a more fruitful Euroleague season, as it missed the Top 16 last season. With experience and tradition, the time could be now for AJ Milano.
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Euroleague.net
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