We couldn't help being tempted to dedicate one of our articles to a very remarkable case in the Italian League: the emerge of the club of Umbertide. Their achievements of the last couple of years really deserve to be mentioned and praised. Moreover, it is not only the point of past achievents, it is also a matter of an outstanding ambition!

First, let us remind that just two years ago this club was a new-comer in the first division. It is their coach, Lorenzo Serventi, who should be given credit for driving this team there. Playing among the top teams, Umbertide showed great enthusiasm and determination, they managed to avoid the bottom of the standings and now are ready to more and more prove their worth.
Unambiguously they made it clear that now they would like to take another stage, move up to another level. The most obvious proof of that is the recruitment policy of the Club. Simona Ballardini, one of the best Italian players, Francesca Zara, a veteran player but a very significant acquirement, and Tamera Young, a WNBA player who can boast good results in Turkey, - all this is definitively going to meet success.

Concerning Simona Ballardini's joining, it was well described in one of the Italian articles dedicated to this event:
"When Simona entered the club, there were a lot of people wating for her and they started to applaud her. That's how the adventure of the star commenced in the club... The presentation started with the speach of the president who was very proud and satisfied saying that it was a great event for the club, for the city and for the sports in the region. After two years of building the team when they brought it to the first division, they now want to build a long term future among the elite of the Italian basketball. The arrival of such an important player is a reward for all the lovers and supporters who follow the club... The coach Lollo Serventi thanked Paolo Ronci, Simona's agent, for the successful negotiations and said they are happy to coach and train such a top player. He added that Simona is one of those players who are able to create an opportunity for a shot and fight successfully inside the oponent's part of the court. As for Simona herself, she said that she was happy to be there: all the president, the team and the supporters wanted her strongly in this team. She admitted that at Umbertide there are all the conditions to be successful. Remebering that many times she played there as an opponent, she noted that the public always met her warmly and it's time to thank them for this."

In the light of these events we were very lucky to make an interview with Lorenzo Serventi himself. And we used an opportunity to ask him questions not only about this big project but also about his career in general...

How did it happen that you came to Women's Basketball?
I started coaching in women's baskteball when I was very young, I think I was 17. I was a student and helped a friend of mine. I was playing and coaching for 4 years without earning money, just for learning. After a long time of coaching men's basketball teams, once I came to Reggio Emilia, the town where I was born, to coach a women's basketball team of the second division. And in two years we won the championship and went up to the first division being a very young team.

You are the one who drove the team of Umbertide to the first division two years ago. Do you consider it to be the most remarkable achievement in your career?
So far, yes, but I think I always try to make my players improve from day to day and teach them work hard every day. I hope that it will not be the last great achievement as I always look ahead and strike for the better.

What do you think was the most important factor that helped you to reach this step?
It was my great passion for this kind of sports and my constant, every day, dedication to work.

Did the team meet your expectations in the season 2009-2010 or maybe you aimed for better results?
With my young time, the performance we made in the last seven matches was a good result: we arrived in play-off with only 12 teams of the championship - the only championship in Europe with 12 teams, 4 play-outs, 8 play-offs, it was very difficult!

Do you think that signing Simona Ballardini, Francesca Zara, and Tamera Young is the key to success?
I think, yes, three strong players - Simona is one of the best in Italy, Francesca is very experienced and Tamera who showed her records in Turkey - they can be great leaders for the whole team.

Which goals does the team set in the upcoming season?
For the next year the objective is to win as many matches as possible, of course! But to win we must become a real team as soon as possible; now we are only 10 players, not yet a team. So, we are going to work with the concept of team, we have a lot of expectations and the responsability doesn't frighten us. I repeat, only when we are a team, it is possible to win!


To the end, we would like to recall that in this part of Italy there is no other high level sport and people seem to be crazy about basketball. Apart from all the efforts that are being done to promote the team of Umbertide in the new season, all this work will be also heated by the public. The support of the fans will definitely inspire the team for new wins. So, for sure, all these people have a chance to succeed!