"Reggio never gives up, Winston is a champion"

"Sassari e Reggio Emilia they are two cities separated at birth, by social characteristics and as a model of basket." Stefano Sardara, president of Dinamo, tomorrow's opponent of Unahotels, uses honeyed words, in the meantime of the following interview. Serie A, in recalling the many analogies between the two companies. Then of course, his Banco di Sardegna (he has been its patron since 2011) has on its noticeboard that title, won in game 7 at the PalaBigi, which to this day remains the greatest regret of the red and white fans.

But, today as then, the 55-year-old entrepreneur from Sassari remembers well that that series was emotionally and sportingly very hard for everyone. Sardara, this year marks the tenth anniversary of that evening at the end of June, very sweet for you, very bitter for Pallacanestro Reggiana. What remains of that tricolor at Dinamo's home? "The memory of a historic moment, memorable not only for the company but for an entire city. Which has certainly created a driving effect for our brand that still lasts."

Grissin Bon made you sweat for that championship though… "I remember well. It was a very long series, very hard, from every point of view. Reggio had superior individuality to ours and more basketball intelligence; we were good, even in individual episodes, at making the most of all our genius and wildness. It was small details that decided it."

In the present, however, Banco arrives tomorrow in Reggio 10 points behind, to try to catch the last train for the playoffs. With what spirit do his team go up to Emilia? "Certainly very different from that of the beginning of the season. We are still paying for the mistakes made, but now our progress is decidedly better. It is not the last train, in my opinion; but it is certainly an important opportunity. Because it is the away victories that give greater impetus. We will certainly be motivated. In the face of a very strong opponent." What do you think of Unahotels? "I tell you what I told president Bartoli: it is a very well-planned team, very well-organized, very well-trained. Candidate for an excellent championship. It never loses its balance, never gives up, and has a true champion, Winston, who when he wants is simply unstoppable."

You mentioned Veronica Bartoli. Who, together with partners, management and sponsors has a dream: the red and white house. Which is a more extensive version of what you have created in Sassari. What are the implications of projects of this type on a corporate reality? "In the meantime, let me say that if Pallacanestro Reggiana manages to achieve this goal, it will be good news for all of Italian basketball. As far as we are concerned, in addition to the historic clubhouse, in front of the PalaSerradimigni, which we will soon expand to 8000 seats, we have our store, various types of commercial activities connected to it, on-site facilities for the families of the boys from our youth team. More generally, we invest significant resources to be 'more than a club', as is the motto of Dinamo (which in Reggio translates to "we are here to do something beautiful for the city too" slogan of the majority shareholder, the Bartoli family, and partner Graziano Sassi, ed.). Of course, there are a lot of expenses, but a fundamental social return that then also brings more revenue and more sponsors."

Compared to 2015, what do Dinamo and Pallacanestro Reggiana need to find themselves in the championship final again? "It would be really nice. It's no coincidence that series still holds the record for ratings for a Serie A final. Realistically speaking, the economic context has changed. It's not just a question of Milan or Virtus Bologna. New entrepreneurs have emerged, magnates like Gavio in Tortona, or owners with high budgets like Antonini in Trapani. There is more and more competition, greater balance. At that time, Siena's star was in decline, Olimpia was building its future. Both: Reggio and Sassari, were good at seizing the moment."