Icon of Italian basketball, “bomber” for his precision in shooting from outside, Roberto Premier is still the idol of an entire generation, especially in Milan, where he boasts the record of the second best shooter in the club’s history. The ram from Spresiano is now 68 years old, lives in Gorizia and in his eyes all the exploits and results achieved on the parquet are reflected, in his words the love for sport, in the paintings at home the memories of a super career. Five league titles, two European Cups, an Intercontinental Cup and two Korac Cups, to which add the bronze in 1985 and the silver in 1991 at the European Championships with the national team, which he defended 80 times, including at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
“Gazzetta del Sud” met him, crossing time and trying to take stock of the Italian flag but not only that.
Basketball and football are currently suffering from a lack of talent, while Italy finds lifeblood and satisfaction from other sports considered somewhat minor, tennis aside. Yet there are still those like the outgoing FIGC president, Gabriele Gravina, who have even mistakenly labeled them as “amateur”. How to “read” this context? Should we start from the base or review the entire apparatus at the political-federal level?
«I think it’s a basic discussion, unfortunately we lack the material, the talents, the value. Players of a certain size on a technical level. If this is missing, it is difficult to create solid teams and groups. In basketball they have tried to recalibrate the balance, inserting a minimum of Italians, but these Italians play little or, barring exceptions, play useless minutes. Or they arrive at the end of the match who, if they are on the pitch, rarely play the decisive ball. The championships are training to then get to the end of the year to play for the national team. If you have “trained” badly, not finding yourself in situations that count, resolving matches at the end, it is difficult then with the blue shirt, 30 seconds from the end with the ball in hand, to resolve the situation. Because you never did.”
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