The Italian Serie A basketball season opened its latest campaign with the league’s top contenders securing victories across the board on September 28, 2026, though established giants like Olimpia Milano encountered severe tests on opening night. While favorites managed to avoid upsets, early-season form varied wildly across the league, highlighted by milestone attendance in Rome and a tense defensive struggle in Milan.
Virtus Bologna Dominates Varese on the Road
Virtus Bologna opened its campaign with a commanding 90–69 away victory over Varese. The hosts took the floor severely shorthanded due to a wave of absences but managed to absorb the initial pressure before Bologna’s distinct advantage on the glass took over. Marcus Carr dictated the tempo for the visitors, while Daniel Hackett deployed his veteran experience through the game’s more physical stretches. Contributions from Alessandro Baldasso and Jordan Edwards helped widen the margin in the second half. Reflecting on the opening performance, Virtus Bologna head coach Luca Banchi pointed to tempo management as the decisive factor, stating that the key was recovering their rhythm.
Napoli Ruins PalaEur Opening for Maxima Roma
In Rome, a crowd of 6,324 filled the historic PalaEur for the debut of the Maxima Roma franchise, but Napoli spoiled the celebration with a 94–75 victory. The capital club played without guard Jordan Moon, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Despite the setback, Roma stayed within striking distance, trailing just 42–45 at halftime. Napoli shifted momentum after the break, pulling away decisively in the third quarter. Jeff Dowtin led the charge with 19 points, backed by strong inside play from Tommaso Caruso.
Olimpia Milano Survives Trieste Scare
At the Mediolanum Forum, Olimpia Milano labored through a high-stakes battle against a resilient Trieste side before escaping with an 83–79 victory. Trieste played with striking aggression in the opening half, carrying a 41–38 lead into the locker room as Milano’s defensive structure repeatedly broke down. Forward Jason Burnell stepped up with 20 points to steady the Armani side, while clutch free throws in the closing minutes secured the result. The victory sets up an immediate European clash as Milano prepares to face Virtus Bologna.
Early Standings and Next Fixtures
Alongside Bologna, Napoli, and Milano, Udine joined the early group of league leaders on two points following a dominant 87–63 win over Scafati. Reyer Venezia, Treviso, Derthona Basket, and Aquila Basket Trento also opened their campaigns in the win column. At the bottom of the table, defeated sides including Pallacanestro Reggio Emilia, Pallacanestro Cantù, Varese, and the Rome franchise look to bounce back as the regular season schedule progresses.
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