Lottomatica Roma team profile
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 Slowly, but surely, basketball has returned to the headlines in the eternal city, Rome, the ancient and modern Italian capital. Virtus Roma was founded in 1960, and since then has always been one of the strongest names in the Italian League and Europe. Curiously, the club never managed to amass armfuls of titles, although it was Italian League champ in 1983 and Euroleague king in 1984, defeating Barcelona in the finals. Larry Wright helped the team to rally from a 16-point deficit in the second half of the 1984 title game, and lifted the trophy with the help of Clarence Kea, Renzo Tombolato and Fulvio Polesello. Virtus Roma also added a Korac Cup title in 1992, under the name of Il Messaggero Roma, downing Scavolini Pesaro in the two-way final. Dino Radja led Roma to its last European trophy with the help of Rick Mahorn, Roberto Premier and Andrea Niccolai. The early 1990s was a high time for Roma, which shopped worldwide for players like Mahorn, Radja, Danny Ferry and Brian Shaw. The team stayed competitive throughout the decade despite not winning another title. It finished fourth in the 2001 Italian regular season before losing to Benetton in the quarterfinals. The 2002-03 season was a decisive one for Roma. With a roster led by star guard Carlton Myers, the team soared to one of its best seasons ever in the domestic league, 25-9, and a second-place finish in the regular season. The team then rolled into the Italian playoff semifinals semifinals, which also qualified Roma for the 2003-04 Euroleague.
2006-07 RESULTS | Euroleague | | Italian League | R. Season | 22-12 | Playoffs | Semis |
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Even though it failed to advance to the Top 16 in its return to the continent’s top competition, the Italian capital was a hot spot again for basketball. That was especially true once Lottomatica landed Dejan Bodiroga and head coach Svetislav Pesic, both recent Euroleague champs, in the summer of 2005. Lottomatica instantly improved its results, posting the best regular season record in the ULEB Cup and making it to the quarterfinals by downing Unics Kazan. Defending champion Hapoel Jerusalem stood in Roma’s way to the semis, however. Lottomatica also made it to the Italian League semifinals and only lost the Italian Cup final in overtime. The club returned to the Euroleague last season and did better, advancing to the Top 16 in thrilling fashion. It then made it back to the Italian League finals, losing 1-3 against Montepaschi Siena. One thing is for certain: Lottomatica is back to stay, as a club that has become a serious contender for every domestic title and a growing threat with each new Euroleague season it plays. The future for basketball looks better than ever in the Italian capital.
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Euroleague.net
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