ROME, Italy – The regular season of the Serie B wheelchair basketball league, dedicated to the memory of Professor Antonio Maglio, concluded this past weekend, March 28-29, setting the stage for the promotion playoffs. Three teams – Padova Millennium Basket, Riviera Rimini Nts Informatica, and SS Lazio – finished atop their respective groups and have earned direct qualification to the championship finals.
The stakes are high as teams battle for a chance to move up in the Italian wheelchair basketball system. For those who didn’t automatically qualify, a second chance remains. The second-place finishers from each group will compete for the final spot in the promotion playoffs, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
Padova Dominates Group A
Padova Millennium Basket completed an undefeated run through Group A, finishing with a perfect 14-0 record. Their dominance was underscored by a 68-46 victory over HS Varese Amca Elevatori in their final regular season game. Whereas Varese suffered a loss, they still secured second place in the group with an 11-3 record, edging out Polisportiva Castelvecchio based on head-to-head results.
Rimini Cruises to Victory in Group B
Riviera Rimini Nts Informatica mirrored Padova’s success, also finishing the regular season undefeated with a 14-0 record in Group B. They sealed their top spot with a 68-60 win against D Junior Team Banco di Sardegna. Banco di Sardegna, with an 11-3 record, will advance to a second phase of the championship.
Lazio Edges Santa Lucia Roma in Group C
The competition in Group C was particularly tight, with SS Lazio and Santa Lucia Roma locked in a fierce battle for the top spot. Lazio prevailed, securing first place and direct qualification to the finals thanks to a +19 point differential achieved earlier in the season against their rivals. Santa Lucia Roma finished tied with Lazio but will participate in the qualifying tournament for second-place teams, hosted by Santa Lucia Roma themselves.
The head-to-head matchup between Lazio and Santa Lucia Roma proved pivotal, highlighting the competitive nature of the league. The +19 point differential Lazio earned in their initial contest ultimately proved to be the deciding factor, showcasing the importance of every game throughout the regular season.
Playoff Format and Schedule
The format for determining promotion is now set. The three group winners – Padova Millennium Basket, Riviera Rimini Nts Informatica, and SS Lazio – will directly compete in the finals, scheduled for May 9-10 and hosted by SS Lazio. This will be a high-stakes tournament, with the ultimate goal of securing a place in the higher division of Italian wheelchair basketball.
Meanwhile, the second-place teams – HS Varese Amca Elevatori, D Junior Team Banco di Sardegna, and Santa Lucia Roma – will face off in a qualifying tournament from April 18-19, hosted by Santa Lucia Roma. The winner of this tournament will earn the final spot in the promotion playoffs, completing the field of contenders.
This structure ensures a competitive pathway for teams striving for advancement, offering both direct qualification for dominant teams and a second chance for those who finished closely behind. The upcoming weeks promise thrilling wheelchair basketball action as teams prepare for the challenges ahead.
For fans eager to follow the action, the Comitato Italiano Paralimpico (Italian Paralympic Committee) will provide updates and results throughout the playoffs. The Serie B league continues to showcase the talent and dedication of wheelchair basketball athletes in Italy, and the promotion playoffs are sure to deliver memorable moments.
The next confirmed checkpoint is the start of the qualifying tournament for second-place teams, April 18-19, hosted by Santa Lucia Roma. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Serie B playoffs and the pursuit of promotion.
What are your predictions for the promotion playoffs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
