Pallalcesto Amatori Udine

Snaidero Udine
Snaidero Udine
Founded	1944
Dissolved	2011
History	Associazione Pallacanestro Udinese(1944–1996); Pallalcesto Amatori Udine; (1999–2011)
Arena	Palasport Primo Carnera; (3,850 seats)
Location	Udine,Friuli-Venezia Giulia,Italy
Team colors	Orange and Black;

Pallalcesto Amatori Udine,better known by the sponsorship nameSnaidero Udine,was an Italian professionalbasketballclub based inUdine,Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

In 2011, following the dissolution of the club, a new team,APU Udine,was founded.

History

Associazione Pallacanestro Udinese(APU) was founded in 1944. It wasn't a particularly notable organisation until businessman Rino Snaidero (head of theSnaidero Cucinekitchen furniture company) became the owner in 1965. With his backing the club, now known asSnaidero Udine,reached the first divisionSerie Ain 1968. A new arena, named PalasportPrimo Carneraafter the boxer of that name, was built in 1970. Star players such as foreignersJoe Allen,Bob FleischerandJim McDaniels,as well as ItaliansClaudio MalagoliandIvan Bissonhelped the side finish fifth and fourth in the Serie A in 1972 and 1973, the latter a historic best.^[1]

The Snaidero family withdrew from the club in the 1970s, it would spend the rest of its existence in the second tierSerie A2with a few parentheses in Serie A until disappearing in 1992.^[2]

Another Udine side,Libertas Udine,would play in the Serie A2 for two seasons between 1993 and 1995 before itself ceasing activities in 1996.^[3]

Edi Snaidero, the son of former owner Rino, relaunched Snaidero Cucine Udine in 1999, buying the rights of Palladio Vicenza to play in the 1999-2000 second division. The side, coached byMatteo Boniciolliand containing players such asCharles SmithandTeoman Alibegovicreturned to the Serie A after one season, winning their best-of-five final promotion series.^[1]

In their first season back in the elite, Snaidero qualified to the playoff quarterfinals but lost a five-game series againstScavolini Pesaro.That position was enough to play in Europe for the first time in 25 years,^[1]reaching the round of 16 in the2001–02 FIBA Saporta Cup.^[4]Having again lost in the playoff quarterfinals in 2001–02, Snaidero took part in the first-everULEB Cup in 2002-03,advancing to the eightfinals. Snaidero featured players likeDemetrius Alexander,Michele Mian,Damir MulaomerovićorSasha Vujačić,who joined theLos Angeles Lakershaving started with Snaidero's junior team.^[1]

After indifferent results the next four seasons, the team hired coachCesare Pancottobefore the start of the2005-06 season.Snaidero went on to match its second-best ever ranking of fifth in the Serie A, thanks to a mix experience and youth with players such asJerome Allen,Mian,Nikos Vetoulas,Kyle Hill,Silvio Gigena,Jacob Jaacks andChristian Di Giuliomaria.Though they were swept in the playoffs, they earned the right to participate in theULEB Cupagain,^[1]reaching the Eighthfinals.^[5]

In2008-09,the side finished dead last in the Serie A, returning to the second division.Udinese Calcioentered the club as part owners over the summer of 2009. However they only played two more seasons in the second division before pulling out from the league, and professional basketball, in 2011.^[6]

Notable players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility atFIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Criteria
To appear in this section a player must have either: Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time Played at least one officialNBAmatch at any time.