On Sunday 1 November, for the first time in history, the American university basketball season will kick off outside the United States, with Rome having been chosen as the venue for the Eternal City Tip-Off. The event will bring four teams to the capital: the men’s and women’s sides from Notre Dame and Villanova

Tonight marks the start of the 81st season of the American top flight. The Celtics’ line-up will also feature the former Sixers player, but all eyes are on The King’s first regular-season match with Philadelphia. It’s also a fresh start for the Greek former Milwaukee player, now wearing the Heat’s colours. 

The revival of basketball in the capital. The city derby between Maxima and BC Roma returns on Sunday. It has not been held for forty-six years, since the Eldorado Lazio v Acqua Fabia Roma match on 27 January 1980.

At the Palaeur, in their first Serie A match, Paul Matiasic’s team suffered a 75–94 defeat. Setting aside the points lost in the league table, what is missing is a sense of belonging – something that is not created by dance performances, light shows and epic music, but only through time

The first bankruptcy was in 2014, the second in 2019. Now Mens Sana is back in a national league, Serie B, after seven years. “We sought a different model, aimed at involving small investors who wanted to feel part of a revival project. So the team has truly become a treasure of the city.”

The Italian champions had dominated the first quarter, but Reyer then forced the game into overtime. The new season kicks off this weekend: it promises to be a long one and more challenging than in previous years.

The deadline for submitting bids in the hope of being included in the new venture set up by the American giant passed at the end of June. As for Rome, the outcome will become clear in the coming months: who will come out on top between BC Roma and Maxima Roma?