Picchi: “For Tortona, hosting the Super Cup is a dream come true”
Tortona is preparing to become the center of Italian basketball for a weekend. On Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, the Nova Arena will host the 2026 SisalClub LBA Super Cup, the first official trophy of the 2026–27 season. This event holds special significance for Derthona, which qualified for the competition thanks to its results last season.
Marco Picchi, president of Bertram Derthona Tortona, spoke about the event’s importance for the city during the press conference held in the Sala del Ridotto at the Teatro Civico.
“It is a great source of pride for the city to host an event like the Super Cup. I say this as a native of Tortona, a former Derthona player, and now as the club’s president.”
For Picchi, the Super Cup also symbolizes the progress the club has made in recent years. A journey that has led Tortona to establish itself at the top of Italian basketball and to build a facility like the Nova Arena.
“When I think back to where we started and how far we’ve come—to the point where our city is hosting the tournament that awards the first official trophy of the season for Serie A teams—it feels like one of those dreams you have as a child.”
The president was particularly keen to emphasize the role played by the Gavio family in the project’s growth, not just from a strictly athletic standpoint.
“Derthona Basket has made giant strides in recent years, all thanks to the vision and passion of the Gavio family, who have done so much for the club and the community both on the court and, above all, off the court. Anyone driving by on the highway today and glancing toward the Cittadella dello Sport, toward the Nova Arena that will host this competition, understands what it’s all about.”
What will make the event even more special is the presence of Bertram itself among the four teams vying for the trophy. This spot was earned on the court, allowing Tortona to play in the Super Cup in front of its home crowd.
“The fact that we’ve also earned—through last season’s results—the right to be among the four teams competing for the trophy makes it all even more magical.”
The Super Cup will thus bring a major national basketball event back to Piedmont following the last four editions of the Final Eight held in Turin. This time, the spotlight will be on Tortona and the Nova Arena for an event that, for Derthona, will hold significance far beyond the result on the court.
