In pursuit of another remarkable achievement. After the unexpected silver medal won in the 2025 edition, the CUS Trieste men’s basketball team returns to the Spring National University Championships (CNU) determined to make its mark and go as far as possible.

The Trieste team, which qualified automatically for the 2026 edition thanks to last year’s second-place finish, will begin its CNU campaign on Tuesday, 26 May at 9:00 a.m. against CUS Basilicata. The Championships are organised by CUS Piemonte Orientale (CUSPO), with the basketball tournament taking place in Novara from 26 to 30 May.

In Group A, alongside CUS Trieste, which this year will field the team that finished third in the Divisione Regionale 2 championship, and CUS Basilicata, there will also be CUS Verona and CUS Firenze.

CUS Trieste will be coached by Alessandro Meden, assisted by Matteo Drioli. The 11 players selected are: Alessandro Ermacora, Umberto Franceschetto, Nicolò Giurgevich, Sebastiano Glerean, Giacomo Icardi, Luca Ladoni, Giacomo Martin, Vittorio Quariglio, Biniam Santucci, Alessandro Tonasso and Luca Trentin.

“This year,” said coach Alessandro Meden, “we are taking part with the same group that represented CUS Trieste throughout the season, without adding any external players. I don’t know whether we will be able to match last year’s great result, but I am sure that these players, who are constantly improving, will make life difficult for every opponent. This is a very close-knit group, made up of friends and teammates. For many of them, it will be their first CNU and, regardless of the final result, I am certain they will make the most of this valuable experience, both from a competitive and personal growth perspective.”

“After last year’s excellent result and an intense winter preparation,” underlined CUS Trieste President Michele Pipan, “we approach the Championships with the desire to give our best and continue to grow. In Novara, the team that has worn the CUS Trieste colours throughout the season will take to the court, having earned the opportunity to enjoy a high-level sporting and human experience. I wish the players and coach Meden, who has always stood out for his professionalism and commitment to the team, the very best for this adventure.”

The men’s basketball tournament will feature the group stage from Tuesday 26 to Thursday 28 May. The semi-finals will take place on Friday 29 May, while the finals will be played on Saturday 30 May.

The other groups are listed below:
Group B: CUS Milano, CUS Bari, CUS Caserta, CUS Camerino
Group C: CUS Lecce, CUS Sassari, CUS Napoli, CUS Palermo
Group D: CUS Genova, CUS Macerata, CUS Cagliari, CUS Piemonte Orientale