What to do, what not to do. One day, advances, and the other, setbacks. After numerous twists and turns about it, and when he seemed farther than near, this Wednesday, after a key meeting, the return of the Mar del Plata basketball superclassic projected nationally, it is a fact.
The date chosen, for reasons of organization and availability of the stage, is the Friday the 30th of this month, at the “Islas Malvinas” Sports Center.
A key issue was closely related to economics. It is known that the police operation required for a meeting of this magnitude requires no less than 120 or 130 police officers, which is a perhaps justified precaution, but very costly for the weakened coffers of the clubs.
The collaboration of the Municipality, which will absorb part of that amount, and the appearance of a sponsor, accelerated the negotiations and made it possible to approve the project.
“It was difficult, but everything seems to indicate that we are going to do it. I find it very timely. It is the year in which both clubs celebrate their centenary and it is the only great classic left for basketball in the country. I think it’s a historic moment for two teams with an enormous track record to meet again,” he said. Marcelo Jimenez, president of Quilmes.
For its part, Nicolás Lauría, Vice President of Peñarol, also celebrated the good news. “My position was always 100% in favor of completing the classic. We are very packed and preparing the organizational details and putting together the team with Tato Rodríguez for the crossing between the legends, ”he said.
Beyond some disparity in strength between two teams that will face competitions at different levels of category, the most important thing is that this classic can be played again, which was able to deliver memorable days for both. It will be a super special occasion for the people of both currencies to get to know the new members of the respective teams better before the official competition begins and, also to play again against the classic rival, a feeling that was lethargic.
An additional attraction will undoubtedly be the match between Legends of both institutions. There will be two quarters of 10 minutes each, before the main match. And, although it is still missing, there are already a few confirmations from both sides that generate great enthusiasm. So far, these are the names:
Penarol: Marcelo Richotti, Hector Haile, Lucas Picarelli, Tato Rodriguez, Fernando Rodriguez, Jorge Gonzalez, Leonardo Zanassi, Eduardo Tabbia, Carlos Romano, Nicholas Lauria, Mariano Franco, Roman Gonzalez and Theodore Michalopulos. For the role of technical director there are some candidates: Richotti himself or Néstor “Che” García. Meanwhile, Juan Manuel Locatelli would be the assistant.
Quilmes: Alejandro Maffia, Eduardo Dominé, Pablo Gil, Leandro Ginóbili, Esteban De la Fuente, Alejandro Allegretti, César Rodríguez, Pedro Calderón, Claudio Chiappero and Marcelo Peralta. It has not yet been reported who will be the technical director, although there are no shortage of candidates.
