Palazzo Pirelli hosts centenary celebration of Italy’s national

Palazzo Pirelli marks the centenary of Italy’s first national basketball match

An institutional event took place at Palazzo Pirelli in Milan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Italy’s national basketball team first match, played on 4 April 1926. The ceremony connected the historic significance of the palace with tributes to the athletes and coaches who shaped Italian basketball.

Purpose of the event: to celebrate a century of sporting history and to promote projects aimed at encouraging young people to take up basketball at grassroots level.

Regional authorities attended the ceremony and presented awards to prominent figures in Italian basketball, emphasizing how teamwork, discipline and perseverance are values that link sports to broader social and educational goals.

• Sandro Gamba — honored for his career as player and coach and for international achievements.
• Ettore Messina — recognized for his contributions as a high-level coach in Europe.
• Carlo Recalcati — acknowledged for his long involvement with the national team both as player and coach.
• Pierluigi Marzorati — celebrated for his numerous appearances with the national team and international successes.
• Antonello Riva — awarded as one of the top scorers in the national team's history.

The commemoration is part of a broader initiative promoted by a group of former champions to revive grassroots basketball: the aim is to strengthen local practice and create opportunities for young players, using monumental sites like Palazzo Pirelli as active cultural venues.

For visitors and heritage enthusiasts, events hosted in historic palaces help enhance the role of these monuments as lively meeting points that combine culture, sport and civic institutions.

Practical information: Palazzo Pirelli is centrally located in Milan and reachable by major public transport. For details on public visits and programs held at the palace, check the official channels of the regional and council authorities.