Attilio Caja has his suitcase in hand: "I know"

Attilio Caja feels with the suitcase in hand and acknowledges it to the microphones of E-Tv. “I am happy with what we are doing, I live it with serenity. I arrived here thanks to President Tedeschi, now there could be a change and so I consider myself in closing,” says the Fortitudo Bologna coach. “I also know, as reported by agents, that he has already moved for other coaches, deputies and sports directors, but he’s in because whoever takes over decides how to do it. It doesn’t bother me.”

The season is not over of course. With Frank Vitucci’s Givova Scafati crossing the finish line first there will be as many as 12 teams in the running for the last available spot for promotion. The path will begin with the Play-In, a formula now widespread also in Italian basketball after being introduced in the NBA. Livorno and Urania Milano will compete in a dry game, with the winner facing Rimini. On the other side of the scoreboard, however, Juvi Cremona will meet Torino, and whoever passes the round will face Avellino.

VL VL Pesaro finished the regular season in second place and in the first round will face the last team from the Play-In. The other qualifier, however, will take on Caja’s own Fortitudo Bologna, third in the standings due to unfavorable head-to-head matchups. Among the pairings that have already been finalized, Verona, switched to Ramagli (who was in Bergamo until the withdrawal of the orobici), will play against Brindisi, while Cividale will face Rieti.

There were no immediate relegations, partly because of the championship remaining incomplete after Bergamo’s demise in February. The fight not to drop down a category, and slip to the national B, will thus involve four teams (Cento, which just signed Zach Copeland, Ruvo di Puglia, Pistoia, and Roseto, which has slinger D’Angelo Harrison in its ranks) that will face each other in the playout.