Cividale del Friuli, Italy – GranTorino BK Draft moved a step closer to securing a coveted top-four spot in the U19E second phase, Gruppo 3, with a decisive 71-61 victory over Ueb Cividale on Thursday. The result significantly impacts the playoff picture, pushing GranTorino further ahead while leaving Ueb Cividale facing an uphill battle for qualification to the national finals.
The U19 Maschile Eccellenza – Fascia Azzurra competition sees the top four teams from each of three eight-team groups automatically advance to the national finals. The remaining 12 teams will compete with eight from the “Fascia Bianca” for the final four qualifying spots. The stakes are high as teams jockey for position in the closing stages of the regular season.
Olidata Roma currently leads the group with 12 points, having secured a 74-70 win against co-leader Orange1 Bassano. Reggio Emilia and GranTorino are tied for second with 10 points apiece, while Pallacanestro Varese sits in fourth with 8. Ueb Cividale and Fulgor Fidenza are currently tied at 6 points, and Blu Orobica Bergamo trails with 4.
Thursday’s match at the PalaPerusini proved pivotal. GranTorino’s win not only bolstered their own playoff aspirations but also created a four-point gap between themselves and Ueb Cividale. Crucially, GranTorino now holds the head-to-head advantage over Cividale, having won both encounters between the two teams.
The game itself saw a strong performance from GranTorino, taking control with a 23-16 first quarter and maintaining a lead throughout. Ueb Cividale struggled to uncover consistent offense, with Sarr leading the team with 18 points, followed by Natali with 12. Pozzecco added 8 for Ueb, but it wasn’t enough to overcome GranTorino’s balanced attack.
This loss is particularly damaging for Ueb Cividale, who were hoping to close the gap on the top four. Their remaining schedule includes a postponed match against Pallacanestro Varese on April 8th, a game that will be critical to their playoff hopes. Yet, with GranTorino holding the head-to-head tiebreaker, Cividale will need to win convincingly and hope for favorable results from other matches to climb back into contention.
Elsewhere in Gruppo 3, Pallacanestro Varese secured a narrow 75-74 victory over Blu Orobica Bergamo, further solidifying their position in the top four. Olidata Roma’s win over Orange1 Bassano keeps them at the top of the standings, while the upcoming match between Una Hotels Reggio Emilia and Fulgor Fidenza on March 19th could shake up the standings once again.
Orange1 Bassano has a crucial opportunity to regain ground on March 20th with a game against Blu Orobica Bergamo. A win would position them back into a tie for first place, depending on the outcome of the Reggio Emilia-Fidenza match. The postponed match between Ueb Cividale and Pallacanestro Varese, scheduled for April 8th, adds another layer of complexity to the playoff race.
The competition remains fierce, and every game carries significant weight as teams battle for a place in the national finals. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining which teams will advance and which will be left to fight for the remaining qualifying spots through the play-in tournament.
Current Standings (as of March 19, 2026):
- Olidata Roma: 12 points
- Orange1 Bassano, Una Hotels Reggio Emilia, GranTorino: 10 points
- Pallacanestro Varese: 8 points
- Ueb Cividale, Fulgor Fidenza: 6 points
- Blu Orobica Bergamo: 4 points
The U19E second phase is proving to be a tightly contested affair, with several teams still in contention for a place in the national finals. Fans can expect more thrilling matchups and dramatic twists as the season progresses. The next key date is March 20th, with Orange1 Bassano’s game against Blu Orobica Bergamo potentially reshaping the top of the table.
Next up for Ueb Cividale is their rescheduled match against Pallacanestro Varese on April 8th. This game represents a significant opportunity for Cividale to salvage their playoff hopes, but they will need a strong performance to overcome a determined Varese side.
