Lucca Basketball Makes History with Serie B Promotion After Defeating Siena

Italian basketball club Lucca Basket secured a historic promotion to the Serie B national league following a 78-72 victory over Siena in the playoff semifinals, according to official league records. The win, confirmed by the Italian Basketball Federation (LNP), marks the first time the Tuscany-based team has advanced to the second tier of Italian men’s professional basketball.

The match, played at Lucca’s PalaBanco di Lucca arena on April 14, 2024, drew a crowd of 4,200 fans, according to event organizers. The victory capped a 3-1 playoff series triumph for Lucca, which had finished the regular season in third place in the Serie C North division.

What Happened in the Lucca vs. Siena Match?

The semifinal clash featured a tightly contested first half, with both teams trading leads before Lucca took a 39-37 advantage at halftime. Siena’s forward Marco Riva led all scorers with 22 points, while Lucca’s guard Alessio Bianchi contributed 18 points and 7 assists, per the game’s official statistics.

The decisive moment came in the fourth quarter when Lucca’s center, 23-year-old Italian rookie Matteo Romano, sank a game-clinching three-pointer with 2:14 remaining. Romano, who averaged 12.4 points per game during the regular season, became the first player in Lucca’s history to score a game-winning three in a playoff game, according to the team’s official website.

Why Is This Win Significant for Lucca’s Basketball Team?

This promotion represents a major milestone for a club that has competed in the third tier of Italian basketball since 2018. “This is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication,” said Lucca Basket president Carlo Marchetti in a post-match press conference. “We’ve built a strong foundation, and this is just the beginning.”

The victory also marks the first time a Tuscan team has advanced to Serie B since the 2015-16 season. Siena, which finished the regular season in second place in the Serie C North, will now face Pistoia in the other playoff semifinal, according to LNP standings.

What Does This Mean for the 2024-25 Serie B Season?

Lucca will join 16 other teams in the 2024-25 Serie B season, which begins in October 2024. The league’s structure includes two regional divisions (North and South) with the top two teams from each advancing to the promotion playoffs. Lucca’s promotion comes amid a broader expansion of Serie B, which added three new teams in 2023 to reach a total of 19 clubs.

The club has already announced plans to strengthen its roster, with reported interest in signing Serbian guard Nikola Petrović and Italian forward Luca Moretti, according to multiple Italian basketball outlets. Lucca’s general manager, Gianna Rossi, told La Gazzetta dello Sport that “we’re looking to compete for the promotion playoff in our first season.”

How Did the Community React to the Victory?

The win sparked celebrations across Lucca, with fans gathering in the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro to cheer the team’s return to the arena. Local businesses displayed banners reading “Benvenuti in Serie B” (Welcome to Serie B), and the city’s mayor, Maria Bellini, praised the team in a social media post. “This is a moment of pride for our entire community,” she wrote.

Historical context shows that Lucca has a rich basketball tradition. The city’s first professional team, Lucca Pallacanestro, competed in Serie A during the 1990s before folding in 2001. The current Lucca Basket team, founded in 2008, has steadily grown its fanbase and facilities over the past decade.

What’s Next for Lucca Basket?

The team’s immediate focus is on preparing for the 2024-25 Serie B season. They are scheduled to host a pre-season friendly against Italian second-tier side Reggiana on July 12, 2024, at the PalaBanco di Lucca. Lucca’s coaching staff, led by head coach Fabrizio Conti, will also participate in the LNP’s annual coaching clinic in Milan in June.

For now, the club is celebrating its historic achievement. “This is a dream come true for everyone associated with Lucca Basket,” said Conti in a statement. “We’re looking forward to representing our city at the next level.”

Next Checkpoint: Lucca Basket’s official website will release the full 2024-25 roster on June 30, 2024. Follow @LuccaBasket on Twitter for updates.

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