Euroleague Basketball
Turkish Airlines Euroleague
Eurocup
Euroleague.TV
Euroleague Institute
One Team
Euroleague store
May 22, 2013
Euroleague
Format
Teams
Players
Coaches
History
Awards
Seasons
Games
Results
Standings
Schedules
Statistics
TV
Game center
News
Latest
Transactions
Domestic Leagues
Features
Interviews
Blogs
Voices
Fanmail
Devotion
Home
bwin Euroleague Fantasy Challenge
Facebook
Twitter Guidebook
Youtube
Gallery
Mobile
Store
Downloads
RSS
Toolbar
Newsletter
Final Four
London 2013
Istanbul 2012
Barcelona 2011
Paris 2010
Berlin 2009
Madrid 2008
Athens 2007
Prague 2006
Moscow 2005
Tel Aviv 2004
Barcelona 2003
Bologna 2002
Events
Qualifying Rounds 2012
Preseason 2012-13
NIKE International Junior Tournament
Media
Media only
Media Collaborators
50 YEARS CELEBRATION IN MILAN, ITALY
Honoring the legends of Olimpia Milano
One of the storied clubs in basketball history enjoyed a special evening of commemoration on Thursday, November 29, as legends of Olimpija Milano were honored at center court for their contributions to 50 Years of European Club Basketball. Euroleague Basketball CEO Jordi Bertomeu was joined by Gian Mario Gabetti, former President of Armani Jeans Milano, and Fausto Maifredini, President of Italian Basketball Federation in honoring Milano teams that won three European titles in a 22-year-span: 1966, 1987 and 1988. The ceremony took place on on-court prior to Thursday's regular saeson game between Armani Jeans Milano and Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv, which had been the other continental finalist in both 1987 and 1988. Receiving awards at mid-court before the game were two of Milano's title-winning coaches, Dan Peterson from 1987 and Franco Casalini from 1988, as well as three players from those teams, Dino Meneghin, Riccardo Pittis and Roberto Premier. In a special touch, a video was shown of 1966 winning coach Cesare Rubini, now 84 years old, recently receiving his own commemorative award from Bertomeu earlier on Thursday in Milan. Also receiving an award recognizing Milano's historic success was current club president Giorgio Corbelli.
"It was such a great emotion to be involved in this celebration with the best personalities of 50 years of European basketball. It's incredible to be included between those names: for me, it's like a dream come true. I want to thank Euroleague for this award, and it was wonderful to receive that in front of Milano's fans and my good old friends of that incredible team which won Euroleague against Maccabi."
- Franco Casalini, Milano head coach 1988
"Back then, I was watching everything more like a fan, despite being a real player of the team. But to be involved in this celebration after 20 years is an unbelievable emotion, because that means that I feel part of the history of this team and this competition."
- Riccardo Pittis, Milano player 1987, 1988
MILANO CHAMPS
1966
,
1987
,
1988
HISTORIC VIDEOS
50 Years celebrations in Milano
1988 Final: Tracer Milano - Maccabi
Meneghin an Olimpia's myth
50 Years Interviews: Dan Peterson
VIDEO INTERVIEW: DINO MENEGHIN
THE BIGGEST WINNER EVER
It is simple math - but also much more. No player has ever been more successful on the European club stage than Dino Meneghin. First with Varese, as the most dominant player on the continent throughout the 1970s, and a decade later, when he won two more titles with Olimpija Milano, Meneghin became synonymous with the tradition of great basketball in Italy. His total of seven continental titles has stood ever since his career ended. He played an incredible total of 28 seasons touching on four different decades. In this video interview, he talks about his Milano years.