The month of february brings the second title at the Italian Cup in
ForlÃ, after three breath-taking games against Viola Reggio Calabria
(quaterfinals), Pompea Napoli (semis) and Oregon Cantu' in the
championship game. At the same time the Euroleague march doesn't meet
that many hurdles as Benetton collects a perfect 6-0 record in the Top16
to advance to the Euroleague Final Four in Barcelona. A Euro-derby win
over MPS Siena in the semifinals but the dream vanishes for the fourth
time (non terzo....) against FC Barcelona and the 17000 screaming fans
of Palau Sant Jordi. The italian playoffs witness a shocking start as
Viola Reggio Calabria goes ahead 2-0 in the series pushing Benetton
Basket on the verge of elimination. But the white-and-green react and
brilliantly make it back to win the series and advance to the semifinals
against MPS Siena and, again, they go by (3-1) to advance to the
championship finals. The final series is against Skipper Bologna, a
rematch of the previous season. The home team always wins in the first
three games, then Benetton Basket wins on the road at PalaDozza in
Game-4 to "repeat" the italian championship, the fourth "Scudetto" in
the history of the club. Champions in Italy, second-place finish in
Europa: try to confirm these results at the end of the upcoming 2003/04
season will be the aim of a younger and deeper team with coach Messina
at the helm: Treviso wants to win once again!
