Fortitudo Bologna Explained

Fortitudo Bologna
Current:2023–24 Fortitudo Bologna season
Leagues:Serie A2
Founded:1932 (original)
2013 (re-founded)
History:Fortitudo Bologna
(1939–2012)
Fortitudo Bologna 103
(2013–present)
Arena:PalaDozza
Capacity:5,570
Location:Bologna, Italy
Colors:White and blue
Owner:NewCo Sporting Fortitudo S.r.l.
President:Stefano Tedeschi
Manager:Nicolò Basciano
Coach:Attilio Caja
Championships:2 Italian Leagues
1 Italian Cup
2 Italian Supercups
1 Italian LNP Cup
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Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna 103, commonly known as Fortitudo Bologna and currently known as Fortitudo Flats Service Bologna for sponsorship reasons,[1] is a basketball club based in Bologna, Italy and currently plays in the second division.

History

Fortitudo has for much of its history played second fiddle in its own city to arch rivals Virtus Bologna, with whom it contests the fierce Bologna Derby. Fortitudo won its first major trophy in 1998, winning the Italian Cup.

Fortitudo made the Italian league finals ten consecutive years (1997–2006). After three straight finals losses, Fortitudo won the Serie A for the first time in 2000. Four consecutive finals losses were followed by Fortitudo's second league title in 2005, courtesy of a 3–1 win over Armani Jeans Milano in the finals series when instant replay upheld a Ruben Douglas buzzer beater in Game 4 of the championship series.

In recent years, Fortitudo had been a fixture in the European top-tier Euroleague. Fortitudo's first achievement in European competition was a FIBA Korać Cup final against Jugoplastika in 1977 in their maiden participation. It got to the Euroleague Final four in 1999 (losing in the semifinal against city rivals Kinder Bologna and in third place game against Olympiacos) and the semifinal of the Euroleague playoffs in 2001 (again eliminated by rivals Virtus); then the club lost in the Euroleague final in 2004 to Maccabi Tel Aviv by 44 points. The 2006–07 season saw them change coaches thrice as they finished thirteenth (out of eighteen), though they still qualified for the 2007–08 ULEB Cup.

Due to economic irregularities, upon Fortitudo's relegation from the 2008–09 season, the team was not allowed to participate in the 2009–10 Serie A2, restarting from the Serie A dilettanti. After winning that league, Fortitudo was once again excluded from Serie A2 and the club's affiliation to the Italian Federation revoked. As such, Fortitudo was barred from playing in any league, save for youth development leagues.

The Rebirth and return to the top flight

On 18 June 2013, a group of local entrepreneurs, professionals and fans joined to give life to Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna 103, the spiritual successor (with the same fan base such as the Fossa dei Leoni fan group) of the original entity. Starting from the fourth division DNB, Fortitudo climbed to the second division Serie A2 where it played during the 2015–16 season.

After a successful campaign in 2018–19, the club qualified for promotion to Serie A for the first time since its 2009 dissolution. They later qualified to the 2020–21 Basketball Champions League, but they finished last in their group. In the 2021–22 season, they finished in the 15th position to be relegated to Serie A2.

Honours

Domestic competitions

Winners (2): 1999–00, 2004–05

Winners (1): 1997–98

Winners (2): 1998, 2005

European competitions

Runners-up (1): 2003–04

Semifinalists (1): 2000–01

4th place (1): 1998–99

Final Four (2): 1999, 2004

Runners-up (1): 1976–77

Semifinalists (1): 1995–96

Other competitions

Winners (1): 2007

Winners (1): 2007

Top performances in European & Worldwide competitions

See main article: Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna in European and worldwide competitions.

SeasonAchievementNotes
EuroLeague
1996–97Quarter-finalseliminated 2–1 by FC Barcelona, 70–65 (W) in Bologna, 73–75 (L) in Barcelona and 62–87 (L) in Bologna
1997–98Quarter-finalseliminated 2–0 by Kinder Bologna, 52–64 (L) in Bologna away, 56–58 (L) in Bologna home
1998–99Final Four4th place in Munich, lost to Kinder Bologna 57–62 in the semi-final, lost to Olympiacos 63–74 in the 3rd place game
1999–00Quarter-finalseliminated 2–1 by Maccabi Tel Aviv, 65–62 (W) in Tel Aviv, 73–80 (L) in Bologna and 64–79 (L) in Tel Aviv
2000–01Semi-finalseliminated 3–0 by Kinder Bologna, 76–103 (L) in Bologna away, 84–92 (L) in Bologna away and 70–74 (L) in Bologna home
2003–04Finaldefeated Montepaschi Siena 103–102 in the semi-final, lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv 74–118 in the final (Tel Aviv)
FIBA Korać Cup
1976–77Finallost to Jugoplastika 84–87 in the final (Genoa)
1994–95Quarter-finalseliminated by Alba Berlin, 73–77 (L) in Berlin and 80–80 (D) in Bologna
1995–96Semi-finalseliminated by Efes Pilsen, 78–102 (L) in Istanbul and 97–91 (W) in Bologna

Players

Depth chart

Notable players

Players at the NBA draft

PositionPlayerYearRoundPickDrafted by
SG Marko Jarić20001st round30thLos Angeles Clippers
SF/SG Carlos Delfino20031st round25thDetroit Pistons
PF/C Erazem Lorbek#20052nd round46thIndiana Pacers
SG/SF Marco Belinelli20071st round18thGolden State Warriors
SG/SF Gabriele Procida20222nd round36thPortland Trail Blazers

Head coaches

Sponsorship names

Throughout the years, due to sponsorship, the club has been known as :

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pompea è il nuovo main sponsor della Fortitudo Bologna. . 8 August 2019 . sportando.basketball . 13 August 2019 . Italian . Pompea is the new main sponsor of Fortitudo Bologna.
  2. Web site: La Effe aspetta Castelletto poi l' omaggio al Barone . Forni . Francesco . 25 April 2010 . Repubblica.it . 5 November 2017 . Italian . Fortitudo awaits Castelletto then will honour the Baron.