Season 2000/2001 confirmed the surprise demonstrated to Italian rugby of the 'young pretender' shown in the previous season.  As ever under the guide of Franco Bernini, with a squad reinforced in fundamental areas (amongst others worthy of a mention the Samoan Ali Koko) the yellow and blacks consolidated for the first time within European Rugby in the Shield Cup, to be accurate against two French sides - Bourguen and Narbonne. These games became considered epic encounters at "Zaffanella" which saw the Viadana team play on an equal playing field with their more illustrious opponents. But also the regular championship gave great satisfaction to the fans. Following the regular season resulting in Arix in third place, the semi-final 'scudetto' was played against Benetton Treviso on a home and away basis. There was however little story for a Viadana solid but still unprepared for a challenge of this type, and the Veneto team went on to win their ninth 'scudetto'. At Viadana however no-one could imagine what would happen the following year following the reform of the championship, and the birth of Super 10 - that of the elite of Italian Rugby. Alongside Bernini was called a guru of New Zealand Rugby as assistant coach: Mike McCallion, who brought with him fitness coach from the Auckland Blues; Jeff Firehurst. The staff was completed by the arrival of Massimo Zaghini from Mantova, being part of a staff reinforced by the arrival of half back MacDonald, second row Richard Denhart, and centres Pickering and Feaunati, not to mention full back Casper Steyn who were all able to contribute to winning two home victories in Shield Cup against Neath and Bourguen but even more to conclude in first place the regular season of Super 10. Then on to the play off the incredible happening - Viadana - relieved of any real pressure managed to eliminate Benetton Treviso in the semi final, most memorable the return leg in Viadana before 2000 spectators, during which the yellow and blacks managed to score the 4 tries necessary to pass forward from the round, whilst throwing the esteemed opponents into a catonic crisis. Then followed the Grand Final at "Battaglini" in Rovigo overflowing with seven thousand spectators, and coloured yellow and black, against the Lombardy 'cousins' from Calvisano. The match, spectacular and intensly tecnical, at the end raised Bernini's Viadana to the heights thanks to two historic tries by Denhardt and Dolcetto, bringing home the first 'scudetto' in the history of the oval ball on the banks of the Po, the first ever 'scudetto' won by a town who were not even the provincial headquarters. The following season began with the arrival of a new South African coach: Jerome Paarwater, with Bernini promoted to Technical Director and with other refinements to the structure, and saw yet again a season rich with satisfaction for Arix Viadana who fronted up to the elite of European Rugby in the Heineken Cup against opponents of the calibre of Gloucester, Munster and Perpignan (Perpignan eventually arriving in the Cup Final). The entire Viadana rugby movement holds in great esteem this challenge particularly from the point of view of public image, and even more so the visibility gained in the media. There was also time halfway through the season to win the Italian Cup against the eternal rivals, cousins Calvisano, in the unusual setting of Caltanisetta, and to beat Benetton in the semi-final at "Zaffanella" in a game considered the most attractive match in the entire Super 10 season. The return match at Treviso however saw a Viadana unrecognisable and totally negative. The yellow and blacks however with third place confirmed announced irrevocably to have arrived in only 4 years amongst the great teams of Italian Rugby. In 2007 a big change, really important not only for Viadana, but for the whole Italian rugby: Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the most ancient bank in the world, become the main sponsor and gives the name to the team. Arix, after 17 years, gives its place to a important and prestigious group, yet involved in high level sport sponsorship, that decided to enter in the Italian rugby scene chosing Viadana. Montepaschi Viadana started winning the first thropy of the season, Supercoppa di Lega, beating Treviso, the Italian Champion, in a very exciting match. << From 1990 to 2000 |