EA7 Emporio Armani Olimpia Milano are Italian U17 Eccellenza champions for the sixth time, pulling away from defending champions Dolomiti Energia Trento 73-60 in the Finale Nazionale Kellogg's Under 17 Eccellenza Trofeo Claudio Monti at the Pala Di Concilio on Sunday.
Coach Michele Catalani's side survived a nervy start trailing 13-16 after a first quarter defined by jitters and missed layups on both sides before seizing control in the second period and never relinquishing it. A 22-9 third-quarter blitz broke the game open as Trento managed just four points in nine agonizing minutes, shooting 2-of-15 from three across the first 30 minutes while Milano's confidence grew with every possession.
Andrea Chouenkam (202-F-2009) led the champions with 13 points (5-of-8 from two) and was named to the All-Tournament Five alongside teammate Jacopo Vogogna (194-G-2009), who had 12 points including a pivotal personal run in the second quarter that first gave Milano the lead at 30-22. Riccardo Dozio added 12 (3-of-6 from three), Leonardo Nicolodi (198-G-2009) had 10 with six rebounds, and Mirko Modica (187-G-2009)'s two clutch free throws extended the lead to its maximum at 54-37.
Trento's Samuele Pasquazi also an All-Tournament selection was outstanding with 20 points and kept the Aquila in the contest through the opening half. Thomas Bortolin added 11 and Bayo had 12, while consecutive three-pointers from Pasquazi and Dalla Bernardina (10) briefly reignited hope at 51-60 in the fourth. But Milano immediately restored the double-digit gap at 51-64 and managed the clock expertly to the final buzzer.
The title is Milano's sixth in the category (1972, 1979, 1982, 1988, 2013, 2026) and Catalani's fifth youth championship as head coach. It dethroned Trento, who had won the 2025 edition in Chiusi.
In the bronze-medal game, Buelli&Rasero Generali Pallacanestro Cantu beat Vis 2008 Ferrara 75-58 behind tournament top scorer Simone Ventura's 21 points the forward finished the week with 155 points in six games (25.8 average). Ferrara's coach Lorenzo Santi was named Best Coach of the tournament.