La UEB Gesteco Cividale opens its official 2026/27 campaign on Friday, September 18, facing Fortitudo Bologna at 17:00 local time (15:00 UTC) in the semifinals of the Supercoppa LNP Serie A2 Old Wild West 2026 at the Pala De Andrè in Ravenna, according to reports from Megabasket and United Eagles Basketball. The tournament renewal highlights an ongoing partnership between Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro and the Emilia-Romagna region running through 2028.
Returning to Ravenna for the Supercoppa Defense
For Cividale, the venue carries significant historical weight. Exactly twelve months prior, the Eagles hoisted the 2025 Supercoppa trophy on the very same Ravenna parquet by defeating Forlì in the semifinals and overcoming Rimini in the title match, as detailed by Megabasket. However, head coach Stefano Pillastrini enters this year’s competition with a deeply restructured roster, noting that the slate has been completely wiped clean.
“It’s a week full of official appointments, and we start the season with a Supercoppa that gave us enormous satisfaction last year,” Pillastrini told club media channels. “We start right away uphill, facing one of the big teams of the championship, a squad with an important tradition.”
Pre-Season Build-Up and Roster Integration
The Eagles’ preparations involved several demanding tests, including early friendlies against Serie A and Serie A2 opponents, appearances at the Memorial “Mario Bortoluzzi,” and a runner-up finish at the Us Basket Cup in Modena. Cividale defeated Mestre in the Modena tournament semifinals before falling to Forlì in the final, setting the stage for competitive play.
Despite facing an opponent rich in veteran talent and physical stature, Pillastrini emphasized that his younger players possess the eagerness to learn quickly. “If we look at the names, curricula, and background of the players, on paper there would be no match,” Pillastrini noted. “However, we have guys who want to grow and learn quickly, and this is a special opportunity to start off on the right foot.”
Tactical Approach and Next Steps
Captain Matteo Berti underscored that the team’s primary focus remains internal execution rather than getting bogged down by opponents’ tactical schemes. Following the opening clash against Fortitudo Bologna at the Pala De Andrè, Cividale will continue refining its squad identity ahead of the broader Serie A2 regular season calendar.
