Cantù vs Fortitudo: playoff challenge at the PalaFitLine in Desio

Cantù and Fortitudo face each other in the playoff quarterfinals. Tradition and historic rivalry in an intense challenge.

di FILIPPO MAZZONI
10 May 2025
Pietro Aradori, 36 years old, is one of the most talented players of Attilio Caja's Fortitudo (Schicchi)

Pietro Aradori, 36 years old, is one of the most talented players of Attilio Caja's Fortitudo (Schicchi)

An early final. First challenge of the quarter-final series between Cantu e Fortitude. Tradition, historic rivalry between clubs and fans, but for many it is almost an early final. The match that will take place at 20,30pm at PalaFitLine of Desio (live streaming on Lnp Pass, radio on Sanluchino and audio commentary on Canale 88), it's this and much more.

There are those who, to reach the playoffs, had to go through the Caudine Forks of the play-in like Attilio Caja's team. And those who, strong in third place, enjoyed a few days of rest and preparation before the start of the hot phase of the season.

The question arises at this point: is it better to have played and been physically and mentally ready or to have had the opportunity to recharge your batteries?

As always, the field will give the verdict, with Cantu on paper the favourite, if only for the home field advantage, compared to a Flat Service ready to sell her skin dearly.

The words on the eve of the match from both sides were clear: it will be a tough series, which will showcase the physicality of the teams, but also the quality of two squads, made up of experienced players.

No home training problems Cantu, with all the elements available, while at home Fortitude coach Caja has to deal with the absence of Sabatini and the less than perfect physical conditions of Luca Vencato whose presence on the field, as Fantinelli's assistant, appears more fundamental than ever.

Fortitude which will be followed by Desio by approximately 200 fans, given the limited number of tickets granted by the competent bodies to L'Aquila.

To present the series in a key Cantu is coach Nicola Brienza. "It will be a tough series, against a great team. Two finalists from last season will meet in the quarterfinals. This could easily be a final. All the games will have great intensity and quality, they will be tough and very physical challenges, as it should be in the playoffs. We are ready and eager to start and we await with great enthusiasm the first tip-off".

Race direction entrusted to Radaelli, Moretti, Nuara.

The other matches: Rieti-Urania Milano (today), Rimini-Brindisi, Cividale-Forlì (tomorrow). Quarterfinals: all playoff rounds are played in the best of 5 games, with alternating home-home-away-away-home for the team with the best ranking at the end of the season. The winning team in the final will be promoted to Serie A.

The dates: Game two is scheduled for Monday at Desio always at 20.30 pm, game three will be played on Thursday at PalaDozza repeated, if necessary, by game four next Saturday. A possible game five will finally still be at Desio Tuesday 20th.

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