By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Before last night’s Serie A game against Torino, Olimpia Armani Milano held quite the emotional celebration n the Mediolanum Forum for its 80-years anniversary.
Coach Dan Peterson undertook the role of the presenter, making the start by calling Dino Meneghin and Arthur Kenney. “Two players who have embodied the spirit of Olimpia Milano more than anyone else, as coach Peterson characteristically described them. “Once upon a time we were adversaries with Kenney”, said Dino Meneghin. “But today, we can challenge each other over a glass of wine. Of course, I win” joked the legendary Italian center.
Many symbolic players in the club’s history participated in the ceremony parading in front of the thousands of fans in the Forum. One by one they entered the court, after hearing coach Dan Peterson announcing them. Who were they? Well… take a deep breath: Gianfranco Pieri, Nane Vianello, Paolo VIttori, Giulio Iellini, Giandomenico Ongaro, Paolo BIanchi, Vittorio Ferracini, Renzo Bariviera, Vittorio Gallinari (father of Danilo Galinari, for whom he received an extra commemorative shirt), Renzo Bariviera, Franco Boselli, Roberto Premier, Nando Gentile, Flavio Portaluppi (who currently serves the team as General Manager), Gregor Fucka, Antonello Riva, Riccardo Pittis and Gianmario Gabetti, who was president of the club when Milano won the back to back European Championships, in 1987 and 1988.
Mike D’Antoni, Bob McAdoo, Sandro Riminucci and Massimo Masini could not make it to Milan for the celebration.
In the end, coach Peterson also presented a commemorative jersey to Giorgio Armani, the owner of the club with “great affection and honor” as he specifically said.