by InTrieste
Interview: Boris Vitez, organiser and founder of the project; Elisa Lodi, Trieste sports councilor
A major youth basketball event will once again bring some of Europe’s most prominent under-16 teams to the Italian-Slovenian border. From Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, the “No Borders Euro Cup” will return for its fourth edition, taking place between Trieste and the nearby Slovenian town of Sežana.
The tournament was presented on Monday at Trieste’s City Hall, with Mayor Roberto Dipiazza and the city’s sports assessor, Elisa Lodi, joined by Sežana’s mayor, Andrej Sila, and representatives of the organizing club, USD-AŠZ Jadran.
Dipiazza welcomed the Slovenian delegation by recalling the cross-border ties between the two cities, noting that they celebrated together in 2007 when border controls between Italy and Slovenia were lifted. “This initiative brings visibility to Trieste,” he said, thanking organizers and local officials involved.
Lodi praised the growing stature of the competition, emphasizing its value for local youth. “Thanks to the participation of prestigious international clubs, this tournament offers young people from Trieste the chance to compete with tomorrow’s champions,” she said. “At a complex moment in history, it is important for young people from different countries to meet through sport.”
Matches will be held at the Opicina Sports Hall in Trieste, with games moving to Sežana on Friday, highlighting the event’s cross-border nature. The finals will take place at PalaTrieste.
Eight teams from leading European basketball programs will participate: Real Madrid and Joventut Badalona from Spain; Bayern Munich from Germany; Armani Milano and Bassano1 International from Italy; Partizan Belgrade from Serbia; Slovenia’s national youth team; and a joint Pallacanestro Trieste-Jadran squad.
The tournament will be broadcast locally by TeleAntenna and internationally by Spanish network Tele Cantera.
